Anita Kusiima — Championing Urban Planning and Sustainable City Development

Anita Kusiima is a distinguished urban planner and development specialist whose work has profoundly influenced the way Kampala evolves as a modern, resilient city. 

With more than a decade of experience in spatial planning, compliance monitoring, and public sector transformation, she has become a respected voice in shaping Uganda’s urban landscape and ensuring that growth harmonises with community needs, environment, and strategic vision.

A Foundation in Spatial and Urban Planning

Anita’s professional journey is rooted in a deep commitment to understanding the dynamics of cities and regions. She began her academic focus with a Bachelor’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning from the University of Dar es Salaam, laying the groundwork for her expertise in how physical space intersects with economic, social, and environmental priorities. She further sharpened her skills with a Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from the University of Cape Town, one of Africa’s leading institutions for spatial studies and Spatial Planning traing from JICA. Anita also holds a PGD in Project Planning and Management from the Uganda Management Institute, equipping her with the strategic insight needed to lead complex urban programmes. 

Career Journey — From Planning Theory to City Transformation

Anita has  spearheaded the  project planning and implementation of various estates including Kakungulu statelite project She has also spent the bulk of her professional life working at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), where she has applied her expertise to real-world urban challenges. In her roles at KCCA, she has been deeply involved in process re engineering, spatial planning and compliance monitoring, contributing to decisions that affect land use, urban renewal, infrastructure deployment, development of public spaces and spearheaded the transition to digital development permission processes.

Her work requires balancing competing demands — from residential needs, urban edge priorities to environmental conservation and mobility planning — all while ensuring that Kampala’s growth aligns with national goals, strategic priorities  and community wellbeing. Through her planning leadership, Anita has helped inform key policy frameworks and public consultation processes that underpin Uganda’s capital city’s evolution. 

Impact Beyond Borders — Perspectives on Urban Resilience

Anita’s education and field experience give her a unique edge: she approaches urban challenges not merely as technical problems, but as opportunities for inclusive design, social equity, and sustainable transformation. Whether assessing land use trends, advising on compliance matters, or engaging with stakeholders from government, civil society, and local communities, she brings a long-range perspective that prioritises people and place as equal partners in city growth.

Residents, business owners, developers, and planners alike have increasingly looked to her insights to navigate Kampala’s rapid expansion — a city that continues to attract investment, culture, and internal migration. Through careful spatial planning, Anita supports decisions that affect transport networks, economic zones, housing development, and environmental protection.

Championing Sustainable Urban Futures

Urban planning in Africa carries unique demands: rapid urbanisation, infrastructure backlogs, climate pressures, and economic transformation. Anita’s work sits at this intersection, requiring both technical proficiency and strategic empathy. She has been active in public forums, collaborative planning processes, and stakeholder engagements that seek to make Kampala not just bigger, but better — more liveable, equitable, and prepared for future challenges.

Her role underscores a broader truth: effective city planning is not just about zoning lines or transport systems — it’s about shaping spaces where people can thrive, businesses can grow, and cultures can flourish.

Why She Moves Nations

Anita Kusiima moves nations through her quiet yet measurable impact on Uganda’s capital and broader urban policy environment. Her leadership in spatial planning ensures that Kampala’s growth is not left to chance, but guided by rigorous analysis, inclusive thinking, and strategic foresight.

She stands at the nexus of community, government, and development — shaping urban spaces that support opportunity, resilience, and shared prosperity. In her work, cities become more than collections of buildings; they become ecosystems of possibility.

Anita Kusiima embodies Postdator’s #WomenWhoMoveNations ethos — she leads with insight, plans with purpose, and inspires new visions of what an African city can be.