Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director Jennifer Semakula Musisi is full of surprises. On Tuesday, she paid an unannounced visit to Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago’s chambers in what turned out to be a bidding of farewell.
Memorable photos and video footage taken during the meeting show Lukwago visibly overwhelmed by the visit. He kept on smiling sheepishly and in some instances, he looked away, avoiding eye contact. The two, who have been known to only meet over official duties, later shook hands to the amusement of a handful of KCCA staff in Lukwago’s office.
In what appeared to be a well-planned courtesy call, Musisi first went to the office of Lukwago’s deputy, Sarah Kanyike, who accompanied her to the Lord Mayor’s office. In tow, were the deputy executive director, Samuel Sserunkuuma and the director public affairs, Peter Kaujju. The Police guards were also seen looking on in amusement.
The pictures of Musisi’s visit have since gone viral on social media given that the two were known sworn political foes. Clad in a black pair of trousers and matching black top with a red throw-on, Musisi spent close to 20 minutes bidding Lukwago farewell.
Yesterday, Musisi posted on her Twitter account;
“My team and I called on the Lord Mayor and his deputy.”Pictures of the visit were retweeted over 100 times and one of her followers,Maurice Ochol, said: “Aunty Jenny says bye-bye to the Lord Mayor. I wonder whatthey discussed.”
A source who attended the meeting told Ugandanz that Lukwago was surprised to see Musisi enter his office and extend a hand as she greeted him.
“The executive director surprised us when she led us to theLord Mayor’s office, the Lord Mayor himself was shocked and could not utter aword. In fact he was speechless,” the source said.
“Musisi and Lukwago discussed KCCA’s management under Musisifor the last seven years. Musisi appreciated the political leadership and thegood working relationship,” our source said.
We learnt that during interaction, Lukwago told Musisi that he was surprised by her decision to resign, saying he only saw the news in the papers. While the discussion was going on, Musisi sat on Lukwago’s right, in a couch close to him.
According to the source: “Musisi thanked Lukwago and his team for the good working relationship, and told them that it was a personal decision for her to resign.”
Both Lukwago and Musisi were seen smiling throughout the conversation as they shared emotional moments. When contacted, Kaujju said it was a normal practice for the institution to bid farewell to a colleague whom they have been serving with for a long time.
“It was a way of bidding farewell to the Lord Mayor. This isa normal practice. If you have worked with someone for long, it is courteous tobid them farewell,” Kaujju said.
In a letter dated October 15, Musisi wrote to President Yoweri Museveni, resigning from KCCA where she has served for seven years as the executive director. According to the letter, Musisi’s resignation takes effect on December 15. Musisi cited political interference as one of the reasons she resigned.