From mediating between Political Parties to City Hall as KCCA ED: Frank Rusa’s Journey
Until not long ago, Frank Rusa was the Country Representative of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), a Hague-based international NGO that works to promote dialogue among and between political actors for consensus building on matters of national development and peaceful co-existence. NIMD also works to strengthen the capacities of political parties to deliver on their respective legal and political mandates.
During this time, he served as the Executive Secretary of the inter-party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD). The Inter Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) Uganda is a legal entity incorporated in 2021 with an aim of pursuing and promoting inclusive democracy and the fundamental principles of democracy, good governance, human rights, institutional strengthening of political parties to be trusted representatives of public interests, non-discrimination, promoting interparty dialogue and cooperation as a means for dealing with political differences as well as managing conflict without resorting to undemocratic means.
IPOD was formed in 2009 as a loose coalition of political parties with representation in Parliament with support from the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) at the request of the Government of Uganda in a bid to support its nascent multiparty democracy following a return to multipartyism in 2005. At the time of its foundation, there were five political parties in Uganda’s Parliament including the Conservative Party (CP), Democratic Party (DP), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC). IPOD’s membership changes with the electoral cycle.
Until his appointment as the Ag. Executive Director, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on Thursday, Rusa was the Director Legal, KCCA.
“You are hereby assigned the duties of Executive Director. You will hold the post until a substantive office holder is appointed by the Appointing Authority,” the letter reads in part.
Accordingly, the terms and conditions of Rusa’s current appointment will include making quarterly reports to the Head of Public Service and Secretary to Cabinet, as well as the Minister in charge of Kampala Capital City Authority.
He takes over (in acting capacity), from Dorothy Kisaka who was dismissed by the President this week over negligence prior to Kiteezi landfill which claimed lives of over 30 people.
Ms Kisaka, was sacked alongside her deputy Eng David Luyimbazi and Dr Daniel Okello, the director of public health, pending further investigations.
A holder of Bachelor of Laws from Makerere University, Rusa also served as head of Legal and Public Relations Department at the Uganda Electoral Commission (2003-2006).
Before that, he served as the State Attorney, Directorate of Public Prosecutions.