The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has directed city businessman Hamis Kiggundu a.k.a Ham Kiggundu to stop ongoing works on the Nakivubo Channel project, citing lack of statutory approvals despite earlier clearance from President Yoweri Museveni.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), KCCA confirmed that its officials had engaged Kiggundu, whose company, Kiham Enterprises Ltd, is spearheading developments along the channel.
“We met @KiggunduHamis of Kiham Enterprises Ltd, the company undertaking activities along Nakivubo Channel,
We instructed him to halt all activities ongoing without the requisite statutory guidance and permission.”the statement read.
KCCA further directed the developer to remove debris resulting from his works, ensure the channel’s capacity to carry stormwater remains unimpeded, and properly maintain the hoarded sections to prevent potential hazards, including flooding and risks to human life
Interestingly, President Museveni had already greenlight Kiggundu’s proposal to upgrade the drainage system. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja and copied to several top government officials, including the Vice President and Attorney General, the President praised the project as a “godly proposal.”
“I have received a very good proposal from Ham Kiggundu… regarding the Nakivubo Drainage Channel,Ham points out that the channel is open, inviting people to throw in rubbish, including plastics and faeces… leading to blockages and flooding. His proposal is imaginative and simple: allow him to cover the channel after cleaning and strengthening it at his own cost.,”Museveni wrote in the July 25,2025, letter
Museveni added that Kiggundu would recoup his investment by building revenue-generating properties over the channel—an idea he fully endorsed.
“I approve of the plan. Help him to execute,” the President instructed.
Kiggundu has pitched the initiative as a transformational urban renewal project aimed at improving sanitation, reducing flooding, and contributing to national development. However, the apparent disconnect between presidential approval and city authority regulation has now placed the project in limbo.
