INTERVIEW: Newly Elected Masaka Chairman John Kakande Outlines Plan to Fight Corruption, Land Grabbing, and District Underperformance

By Brian Mugenyi

MASAKA — Newly elected Masaka District Chairperson John Kakande says teamwork, education, commercial agriculture, and strong cooperation between political leaders and technical civil servants are central to his plans for transforming service delivery and elevating the district’s national standing.

In an exclusive interview with Watchdog Uganda at Kampala University, Kakande opened up about his background, quarter-century in education, business investments, and his roadmap for transparent governance in Masaka District.

Q: Who is John Kakande?

John Kakande: Thank you so much, Brian Mugenyi, and warm greetings to the readers of Watchdog Uganda and our wider media audience. I am John Kakande—the newly elected LC5 Chairperson for Masaka District, a commercial farmer, and a passionate educationist.

I hail from Kamuzinda Village. I completed my early studies at Molly and Paul, St. Mugaga, and later attended Kyambogo University. Currently, I am expanding my governance capacity by pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration at Kampala University.

I have been an educator for the past 25 years. I am a keen follower of community affairs, and I strongly believe in leveraging education and unity to transform our local communities.

Q: Tell us about your professional and political journey.

Kakande: I started my professional career at a very young age and have dedicated 25 years to teaching and community leadership. That extensive experience shaped my understanding of societal needs.

When I entered active political leadership, I contested and emerged victorious in the LC5 chairperson race under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party led by President Yoweri Museveni.

Q: Beyond public service and teaching, what enterprise activities are you involved in?

Kakande: I am an active commercial farmer and private investor directly employing at least 30 workers. My agricultural enterprises include piggery, poultry farming, and large-scale coffee growing.

Additionally, I serve as a “mindset-change tutor” advocating for rural agricultural transformation. I am a certified trainer with the National Farmers Leadership Centre (NFLC), where I focus on promoting inclusive business models that move farmers from subsistence to profitable enterprises.

Q: What are your immediate priorities as the new district chairman?

Kakande: My primary focus is bringing people together and building seamless cooperation between our political leadership and the technical civil service. Teamwork is essential to making Masaka District great and boosting our overall performance rankings.

Together with my councilors, we have fostered genuine unity across the district. I also maintain a strong, constructive working relationship with former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, which provides stability and guidance for our region.

Q: How has decentralisation impacted performance in Masaka District?

Kakande: I commend the Government of Uganda for bringing power and resources closer to the people through decentralisation. In Masaka, our political wing works hand-in-hand with the technical staff.

Following official performance evaluations by the Ministry of Local Government, Masaka District achieved the 19th position nationwide—a solid baseline we are determined to build upon.

Q: What achievements have you registered in education, sports, and community service?

Kakande: In sports development, I personally funded the refurbishment of Kitofaali Playground at a cost of over Shs30 million to give our youth a decent facility. I have also built a community school to widen access to learning.

In academic performance, Masaka continues to make progress—recently recording 24 pupils in Division One and two in Division Two in our local assessments.

Culturally and religiously, I serve as the Kabaka’s local representative (Mwaami) in charge of Education as well as the Kabwoko Diocesan Secretary, positions I use to advocate for holistic youth development.

Q: How are you expanding educational opportunities for disadvantaged students?

Kakande: Having been raised by a humble mother, I understand poverty firsthand. I personally support eight underprivileged children from different backgrounds.

On a broader scale, we have facilitated educational opportunities, including securing scholarships for nine local students to study in Nigeria through Ambassador Alintuma Nsambu.

Furthermore, I entered office determined to protect Masaka’s public assets. Previous leaders gave away valuable district land and properties almost for free without benefitting residents. My core mandate under the Constitution is to preserve, protect, and conserve what belongs to the people of Masaka.

Q: How are you managing working relationships with councilors and technical officers?

Kakande: During our first 100 days in office, we established a healthy, consultative workflow with both our councilors and the technical team we met in place.

Leadership requires alignment. Today, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and my office as District Chairman are working in complete synergy to drive development.

Q: What is your official stance on corruption and absenteeism among public servants?

Kakande: There will be zero tolerance for corruption during my tenure—period.

Health workers, agricultural extension officers, teachers, and all public servants must be present at their stations and fulfill their duties diligentlly. Absenteeism, ghost working, and extortion in schools or health facilities will not be tolerated.

Q: How are you addressing widespread concerns around land grabbing?

Kakande: We are taking a firm stand on land matters. I personally communicated with Security Minister Gen. Kahinda Otafiire, requesting that all official communications and directives regarding district land issues be routed directly through my office to prevent illegal land deals and clearance by fraudsters.

Q: What action are you taking regarding forest degradation in Masaka?

Kakande: I have raised major alarms over the destruction of our local forest reserves, including the questionable involvement of certain local leaders and National Forestry Authority (NFA) officials.

We are currently pushing for the review and total termination of licenses issued to private investors who have abused their permits and encroached on protected public forests.

Q: What natural assets does Masaka possess to drive economic transformation?

Kakande: Masaka is exceptionally rich in natural resources. We are bounded by Lake Victoria, Lake Nabugabo, Lake Mbirizi, and several strategic landing sites, alongside highly fertile soils, good water sources, and expanding electricity access.

Our task as district leadership is to manage these natural gifts sustainably so that they directly improve household incomes, fishing infrastructure, and local revenues.

Q: What is your final message to the residents of Masaka District?

Kakande: My message is simple: unity, teamwork, and integrity. We are bringing political and technical leaders together under one common goal—delivering quality services to our people.

My commitment is to guard your public assets, hold officers accountable, and ensure that Masaka District moves forward through transparent leadership.

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