Who is Frank Nyakaana Rusa? Flash Uganda Media looks at his biography, age, wife, family, career, work and experience, relationship with KCCA, Dorothy Kisaka Kiteezi landfill tragedy, early life and education of Ugandan legal professional and leader.
Frank Nyakaana Rusa is a Ugandan legal professional and leader with over 20 years of experience in the sector, having begun as a state attorney in 1999.
He is a committed Christian and Pan-Africanist with a strong passion for promoting multi-party democracy, civic engagement, and electoral integrity.
Frank Rusa served as the acting Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) for 100 days, from October 2024 to January 2025, following the dismissal of Dorothy Kisaka over the Kiteezi landfill tragedy.
Before being appointed to that position, he was the Director of Legal Affairs at KCCA, and he remains in that role currently.
Early Life & Family Background
Frank Nyakaana Rusa was born in 1976. He belongs to the Tooro tribe of Uganda.
His father, Nyakaana Mukidi Abooki, was born in 1933 at Kaihura village in the current Kyenjojo district. He was also a Civil Servant like Rusa, having worked in the Ministry for Agriculture and Cooperatives in 1964 when Sir Edward Muteesa II was the President of Uganda and Milton Obote the Prime Minister.
His father was very purposeful in giving them a good education while growing up, which gave him a good foundation and friends.
His mother, the late Joy Nyirabakiga Nyakaana Akiiki, who passed away on November 11th 2024, instilled in them Christian values while still children and this later influenced Rusa to be an active Christian.
Frank Nyakaana Rusa is a committed family man, a husband and father. In June 2024, their son, Adam Murungi Rusa, graduated with a distinction from Strathmore University.
Education Background
Frank Rusa has had a fulfilling academic journey that has consisted of several accomplishments both in and out of Uganda.
He attained a Master’s degree in Public Administration at Harvard University as an Edward S. Mason Fellow in 2018.
Before that, from 1998 to 1999, he was at the Law Development Centre in Uganda, where he pursued his Diploma in Legal Practice and also served as the Guild President during that time.
For his undergraduate degree, Rusa graduated with honours from Makerere University in 1997 with a Bachelor of Laws and was a member of the Makerere Law Society.
Other academic accomplishments
In 2016, Frank was selected as one of 16 mid-career leaders to join the Maurice R. Greenberg Fellowship at Yale University, where he completed a six-month leadership training program.
He also attended a research fellowship as a Reagan-Fascell Fellow in 2013 at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
In 2012, Rusa took part in the Draper Hills Summer Fellowship at Stanford University’s Centre on Democracy, Development, and the Rule of Law, a program designed to strengthen leadership in governance and democratic development.
Education background summary
| Years | Institution | Status /Award |
| 2017 – 2018 | Harvard University | Master of Public Administration – MPA |
| 2016 | Yale University | Leadership Training |
| 2013 | National Endowment for Democracy (NED) | Research Fellowship |
| 2012 | Stanford University | Draper Hills Summer Fellow Program |
| 1998 – 1999 | Law Development Centre | Diploma in Legal Practice |
| 1994 – 1997 | Makerere University | Bachelor of Laws – LLB |
Career and Professional Work Experience
In October 2024, His Excellency President Yoweri Museveni appointed Frank Nyakaana Rusa as the Acting Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). This was after the dismissal of Dorothy Kisaka over the Kiteezi landfill tragedy that left over 30 people dead and many more missing.
Frank served in that capacity for 100 days, and on January 8th 2025, he handed over the office to the new team, leader Hajati Sharifa Buzeki. He had expressed his interest in assuming the role of Executive Director permanently, but did not follow through.
Before his appointment in October 2024, Frank had been serving as the Director, Legal Affairs at KCCA since April 2023. He still currently oversees legal services, policy and legislative affairs, contributes to criminal prosecution and offers general advisory support to the Authority, among other responsibilities.
From July 2018 to April 2023, Frank Rusa served as the Country Representative in Kampala for the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), an international NGO headquartered in The Hague.
During the same period, he also held the position of Executive Secretary at the Inter-Party Organization for Dialogue (IPOD), where he facilitated high-level discussions with presidents of various political parties and secretary generals to foster consensus on critical national issues.
From May 2009 to July 2016, Rusa held the position of Program Manager for Civic Engagement and Electoral Integrity at the Democratic Governance Facility (DGF). Here, he was involved in Election monitoring and supporting the establishment of national civil society networks.
In June 2006, together with Andrew, Frank founded a law practice firm, Andrew and Frank Advocates and Solicitors, which focused on Corporate law and legal advisory services. He was there in the capacity of a partner till May 2009.
Before he became a partner, Frank Rusa was the Head of the Legal Department at the Electoral Commission of Uganda. He was in charge of a team of over 10 lawyers from March 2003 until June 2006, when he resigned.
From May 1999 to March 2003, Frank had been the State Attorney for the Directorate of Public Prosecution in Uganda. He also became the head of office in 3 different stations, where he served as the Resident State Attorney.
Work experience background summary
| Years | Institution | Position |
| October 2024 – January 2025 | Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) | Acting Executive Director |
| April 2023 – Present | Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) | Director, Legal Affairs |
| July 2018 – April 2023 | NIMD | Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy | Country Director |
| July 2018 – April 2023 | Interparty Organization for Dialogue (IPOD) | Executive Secretary |
| May 2009 – July 2016 | Democratic Governance Facility (DGF) | Program Manager, Civic Engagement and Electoral Integrity |
| June 2006 – May 2009 | Andrew and Frank Advocates and Solicitors | Partner |
| March 2003 – June 2006 | Electoral Commission Uganda | Head, Legal Department |
| May 1999 – March 2003 | Directorate Of Public Prosecution | State Attorney |
Other Career Accomplishments
Frank Rusa also served on the Senior Management Committee of the Electoral Commission, where he was responsible for the day-to-day management of the Commission’s affairs.
He was also a member of the Electoral Commission Contracts Committee appointed by the Secretary to the Treasury of the Government of Uganda and successfully oversaw and advised on the legal aspects of all procurements associated with the 2006 national electoral cycle in Uganda.
He was co-opted on an inter-ministerial committee to advise the Government of Uganda on the legal aspects of changing political systems.
Rusa is also a Pro bono addiction counsellor to people with drinking problems, having overcome a similar addiction earlier on in his life.
Achievements and Awards
In April 2025, the Council of Kampala Capital City Authority presented an appreciation award to Frank Rusa to honor his excellent work as the Acting Executive Director. He was commended for overseeing key city developments, most notably the major flood control works in the Nakivubo area.
He received the esteemed ABETO Africa Peace Award on March 27, 2025. This honor, previously given to prominent figures such as Nelson Mandela and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, celebrated Rusa’s commitment to promoting peace, tolerance, and dialogue as essential elements for sustainable development.
In December 2018, under the leadership of Frank Rusa as Executive Secretary, IPOD held the first presidential summit that was attended by H.E. Yoweri Museveni alongside the other presidents of DP, UPC and Justice Forum. This meeting achieved significant milestones, including reforms to public management laws, amendments to electoral legislation and enhanced public funding for political parties.
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