KAMPALA, Uganda — As the government rolls out the implementation of its new term under the theme “Kisanja No More Sleep,” attention is increasingly turning to assembling a team capable of delivering on Uganda’s ambitious development agenda.
Infrastructure and environmental protection remain among the president’s key priorities, with renewed emphasis on improving service delivery, accelerating project implementation and strengthening institutional efficiency. As discussions continue around possible appointments and restructuring within government, seasoned technocrats with proven records of delivery are increasingly coming into focus.
Among the names attracting the attention of the president is Engineer David Ssali Luyimbazi, a veteran engineer and public administrator whose career has spanned more than three decades. Having helped shape national transport policy, spearheaded institutional reforms, negotiated major infrastructure financing and overseen large-scale urban development programs, Engineer Luyimbazi is widely regarded by many within the infrastructure sector as one of Uganda’s most accomplished technocrats.
Although the government has not yet announced any substantive appointment to the Ministry of Works and Transport, or other focal entities like the Ministry of Water and Environment, Engineer Luyimbazi’s name continues to feature prominently in discussions among engineers, policymakers, development partners and public administration experts whenever leadership of the sector is debated.
Here are five reasons why Engineer Luyimbazi is standing out as a choice for this focal docket.
1. A Proven Track Record of Delivering Results
Engineer Luyimbazi’s public service career began at the Ministry of Works before he moved to the Uganda National Roads Authority and later the Kampala Capital City Authority, where he held several senior leadership positions.
During his tenure as director of planning at UNRA, Uganda experienced one of its most significant periods of road sector expansion. The national road network nearly doubled, while reforms in planning, project preparation and procurement significantly reduced implementation timelines and improved efficiency.
Infrastructure experts say these reforms strengthened the pipeline of investment-ready projects, improved value for money and enhanced confidence among development partners.
2. Building Institutions, Not Just Roads
Beyond delivering infrastructure projects, Engineer Luyimbazi is credited with helping establish systems that continue to guide Uganda’s transport sector.
His contributions include the Integrated National Transport Master Plan, long-term Road Sector Development Programmes, road asset management systems, and evidence-based planning and monitoring frameworks.
Many of these systems remain operational years after their introduction, reflecting a leadership philosophy focused on building institutions that outlast individual office holders.
3. International Expertise Backed by Practical Experience
Engineer Luyimbazi combines strong academic credentials with extensive practical experience. He holds postgraduate degrees from the University of Birmingham and the University of Oxford and has undertaken specialized professional training in infrastructure financing, transport planning, procurement, public-private partnerships and major program management.
His career includes managing multibillion-dollar infrastructure programs and negotiating financing with international development partners, giving him a rare blend of technical, financial and strategic expertise.
As Uganda expands investment in roads, railways, bridges, industrial parks and urban transport systems, sector observers say such experience is increasingly valuable.
4. Leadership Beyond the Road Sector
After UNRA, Engineer Luyimbazi joined the Kampala Capital City Authority as deputy executive director, where his responsibilities extended beyond transport infrastructure.
He coordinated major programs in urban roads, drainage, climate resilience, digital governance, revenue modernization and city planning while supporting the implementation of Kampala’s long-term development agenda.
Urban development specialists say this experience broadened his understanding of how transport infrastructure intersects with land use planning, environmental sustainability, economic growth and public service delivery.
5. A Reputation for Professionalism and Integrity
Perhaps the quality most frequently associated with Engineer Luyimbazi is his reputation as a disciplined career technocrat.
Throughout more than 30 years in public service, he has been associated with reforms that strengthened procurement transparency, institutional accountability and evidence-based decision-making. Colleagues describe him as a systems builder whose focus has consistently been on strengthening public institutions rather than seeking personal recognition.
“David is one of the few engineers who understands that infrastructure is not just about building roads; it’s about building institutions that can deliver results long after individuals have left office. That’s what sets him apart,” a former UNRA colleague said, arguing that these qualities are particularly important at a time when the government is seeking greater efficiency, accountability and value for money in infrastructure delivery.
Meeting the Demands of a Changing Sector
Uganda’s infrastructure sector is entering a new phase characterized by rapid urbanization, industrialization and increased investment in strategic transport corridors. With growing expectations for efficient project delivery and prudent management of public resources, leadership within the Ministry of Works and Transport has become more important than ever.
Whether Engineer Luyimbazi is ultimately appointed to the ministry’s top administrative position remains a decision for the appointing authorities. What is difficult to dispute, however, is the breadth of his contribution to Uganda’s infrastructure sector over the past three decades.
