Ssekandi: The Decentralisation Agent whose Masaka Foot Print speaks through Service

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published an opinion piece by Brian Mugenyi examining former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi’s public legacy in Masaka through the lens of decentralization and service delivery. The article argues that the lasting measure of leadership is not political symbolism, but visible community development such as roads, schools, health centers, water points, markets and functioning local institutions.

The piece highlights the planned Masaka District headquarters at Kyambazzi in Kyanamukaka, noting that Cabinet reportedly settled on the site in 2025 and that the land was provided by Ssekandi. It presents the headquarters as an example of how local government structures can bring administration closer to citizens and strengthen service delivery. For context, Uganda’s decentralization policy generally refers to shifting authority and resources to local governments, though the article frames this mainly as a practical, community-level issue.

The article also links Ssekandi’s older generation of leadership to younger grassroots activity associated with his office, especially his assistant Oscar Francisco Mutebi. It cites Mutebi’s community work in Greater Masaka, including coffee-seedling distribution, support for a secondary school and youth sports mobilization. The author says these efforts show how development is experienced at street level and warns against treating such activity as proof of electoral ambition. Overall, the piece argues that service, not status, is what ultimately shapes political memory.