By Brian Mugenyi
MASAKA — For John Kakande, the newly elected Masaka District LC5 Chairperson, education, commercial agriculture, and dedicated community service form the cornerstone of his journey into local government leadership.
A seasoned educator with 25 years of teaching experience, a commercial farmer, and a private investor, Kakande brings a multi-faceted approach to public administration—emphasizing political harmony, institutional transparency, and socio-economic transformation.
In an exclusive interview with Watchdog Uganda at Kampala University, Kakande outlined his background and vision for Masaka District while continuing his own pursuit of higher education.
“I hail from Kamuzinda Village. I studied at Molly and Paul, St. Mugaga, and later Kyambogo University. Currently, I am expanding my administrative knowledge by pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration at Kampala University,” Kakande revealed.
Kakande, who is married to Betty Nansamba and is a father, attributes his leadership style to his quarter-century career in education and community development, which began early in his youth.
Bridging the Gap Between Politics and Technical Teams
Entering active district politics under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) banner, Kakande secured victory in the LC5 chairperson race. Since taking office, his core objective has been fostering unity between elected political representatives and technical civil servants to drive local government performance.
“I have been focused on bringing our people together and strengthening cooperation between the political and technical wings,” Kakande explained. “Teamwork is essential if we are to make Masaka District great and significantly elevate our performance standards.”
Kakande highlighted that his administration spent its first 100 days laying a solid foundation with district councillors and technical officers. He also pointed to strong working relationships with prominent regional figures, including former Vice President Edward Kiwanuka Ssekandi, as vital to maintaining local political stability.
“We have promoted genuine teamwork with my councillors, and Masaka stands united today,” he noted.
Commercial Agriculture and Mindset Transformation
Beyond public service and education, Kakande is a key player in Masaka’s agricultural sector. He runs enterprise investments encompassing piggery, poultry farming, and coffee growing—directly employing over 30 workers.
Leveraging his background as a certified trainer at the National Farmers Leadership Centre (NFLC), Kakande positions himself as a “mindset-change tutor” advocating for the commercialisation of rural agriculture.
“I rear pigs and poultry, and I also grow coffee as an investor,” Kakande said. His goal is to promote inclusive business development, encouraging local farmers to shift from subsistence farming to high-yield commercial enterprises that create job opportunities for local youth.
Decentralisation, Performance, and Resource Mobilisation
Kakande commended the Central Government for its decentralisation policy, noting that returning authority to local government administrative structures empowers communities to tackle localized challenges effectively.
He highlighted that recent performance evaluations by the Ministry of Local Government ranked Masaka District 19th nationwide—a position he intends to improve through tighter administrative coordination among the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), and the District Chairperson’s office.
Furthermore, Kakande emphasized Masaka’s vast natural resource wealth as an untapped driver for local economic growth.
“Masaka is blessed with rich resources like Lake Nabugabo, Lake Mbirizi, Lake Victoria, and several strategic landing sites, alongside fertile soils, reliable water, and electricity access,” he said, adding that sustainable management of these assets will be central to improving district revenues and livelihoods.
Community Investments, Education, and Sports
Kakande’s community involvement extends to social infrastructure and grassroots education. He previously invested over Shs30 million to refurbish the Kitofaali Playground to support local sports development, alongside establishing community educational facilities.
In addition to his political role, Kakande serves as the Kabaka’s representative (Mwaami) in charge of Education locally, as well as the Kabwoko Diocesan Secretary. Through these cultural and religious avenues, he continues to support youth development—including facilitating international educational initiatives, such as an exchange program that secured opportunities for nine local students to study in Nigeria through Ambassador Alintuma Nsambu.
Zero Tolerance for Corruption and Land Protection
Addressing public sector efficiency, Kakande issued a stern warning against administrative laxity, absenteeism, and financial impropriety in government facilities.
“There will be no room for corruption during my tenure,” Kakande declared firmly. “Health workers, agricultural extension officers, and all civil servants must be present at their workstations and deliver quality services to our people.”
Kakande also turned his attention to pressing environmental and land administration issues, expressing firm opposition to rampant land grabbing and environmental degradation in Masaka’s forest reserves. He warned that his administration will push to review and potentially cancel licenses held by investors colluding with individuals implicated in encroaching upon protected public forests and land.
A Vision for Sustainable Growth
As John Kakande navigates the early stages of his tenure as LC5 Chairperson, his combination of academic pursuit, agricultural enterprise, and administrative experience presents a comprehensive leadership profile.
For the residents of Masaka District, the success of his tenure will ultimately depend on translating political cohesion, anti-corruption stances, and resource management into visible improvements across public healthcare, local roads, schools, and household incomes.
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