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Jennifer Musisi
Ugandan lawyer, administrator and academic From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Jennifer Semakula Musisi (born c. 1965)[1] is a Ugandan lawyer, public administrator, and academic. She gained prominence as the first Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) from 2011 to 2018, where she spearheaded significant transformations in the Ugandan capital. Following her tenure at KCCA, she became the first City Leader in Residence at the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative.
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Background and education
Jennifer Musisi was born in Kampala, Uganda, in the 1960s (approximated to 1965 by some sources).[1] She attended Tororo Girls School for her O'Levels and subsequently King's College Budo for her A'Levels, where she was deputy head prefect and graduated at the top of her class in 1982.[2][3]
In 1982, Musisi enrolled at Makerere University, graduating in 1986 with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. The following year, she obtained a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre in Kampala.[2] She later earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Makerere University in 1997.[2][4] Musisi has also undertaken further studies and training in management, taxation, and law from various institutions, including programs at Harvard Law School and George Washington University.[2]
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Career
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Early career
Musisi began her legal career as a State Attorney in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.[2] She later served as the Assistant Legal Officer and subsequently Legal Officer for Makerere University.[5]
Uganda Revenue Authority (URA)
Musisi joined the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) as Head of Legal Services. Her role expanded, and she was appointed Commissioner Legal Services and Board Affairs.[2][4] At URA, she was involved in policy formulation, legislative drafting, and implementation. She played a role in institutional reforms and restructuring programs, contributing to efforts aimed at increasing integrity and combating corruption, including the development of a whistle-blower policy.[2] Sources credit her with leading the legal efforts for the recovery of the land on which the URA headquarters is situated and contributing to teams that recovered significant tax revenues for the government.[2][5]
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA)
In April 2011, President Yoweri Museveni appointed Musisi as the first Executive Director of the newly formed Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), which replaced the Kampala City Council.[6] She assumed office on 15 April 2011. Her mandate was to transform Kampala's city administration from a local government structure to a corporate entity under the central government, with a focus on improving service delivery, infrastructure, and revenue collection, and curbing corruption.[2][7]
Musisi's tenure at KCCA was marked by significant changes in Kampala, including road infrastructure improvements, beautification projects, waste management reforms, and increased revenue collection.[7][8] Key initiatives included the establishment of the Uganda Employment Service Bureau, the Kyanja Agricultural Resource Centre, improvements to city health centers, the upgrading of Kawempe and Kiruddu health centers to referral hospitals, and the launch of the annual Kampala City Festival.[9] She also oversaw the construction of Wandegeya Market and the initiation of the Usafi Market and Transport Terminal complex.[9] The KCCA, under her leadership, also focused on formalizing aspects of the city's economy, including efforts to regulate public transport and street vending.[7]
Her approach often led to conflict with political leaders, particularly the elected Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and was criticized by some for its impact on low-income earners and informal sector workers who were displaced by some reforms.[7][8][10] Her direct, results-oriented style was lauded by some for bringing visible changes to the city but also described as abrasive by critics.[8][10] The Harvard Kennedy School case study, "Pressing the Right Buttons: Jennifer Musisi for New City Leadership," explores the complexities and challenges of her leadership in Kampala.[7]
Her contract was renewed in 2014 and again in April 2017.[6][11] On 15 October 2018, Musisi tendered her resignation as KCCA Executive Director, effective 15 December 2018. She cited challenges including inadequate funding and irreconcilable differences between the KCCA technical team and political leadership, which she stated hindered the achievement of transformational targets.[9] In her farewell, she noted the recovery and processing of numerous land titles for KCCA.[12]
Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative
In January 2019, Musisi was appointed as the first City Leader in Residence at the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, a collaboration between Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School, and Bloomberg Philanthropies.[13][14] In this role, she advised on program design, particularly for cities outside the United States, and served as a resource for faculty, students, and city leaders, sharing insights on urban innovation and governance.[14][15]
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Personal life
Jennifer Semakula Musisi is married to Frederick Musisi, and they have children.[16][17]
Awards and recognition
Throughout her career, Musisi has received various awards in recognition of her work. Notable among these are:
- Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities, United Graduate College and Seminary International, USA (2016)[5]
- IHS Alumni International Urban Professional Award, Rotterdam, The Netherlands (2018)[5]
- African Virtuous Women Award: African Agent of Change (2018)[5]
- Grand Global Award for Integrity and Excellence in Leadership, Global Leadership Training USA (2016)[5]
- CEO Global Africa's Most Influential Women in Business and Government Award (Country and Regional Winner, Agencies and Regulatory Authorities Sector) (2015/16)[5]
- Paul Harris Fellow, The Rotary Foundation[2]
- Medal of Achievement for Distinguished Service to the Nation, King's College Budo (2008)[2]
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Memberships and fellowships
- Advocate of the High Court of Uganda
- Member of the Uganda Law Society
- Council Member, Cities that Work (International Growth Centre)[18]
- Designated Uganda's Ambassador for UN Sustainable Development Goal 11 (Making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable) during her KCCA tenure.[15]
Succession table as Executive Director of KCCA
References
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