By Florence Nakaayi

Kampala City Council (KCC) has halted construction of temporary structures over the drainage channels in Kisenyi, Kampala central division.

The temporary structures, mainly made of timber, are commonly set up in the area by dealers in the maize milling business.

The senior principal assistant town clerk, Justine Kasule, in her communication to the senior law officer, John Musingo, warned that the structures were likely to cause flooding in the area.

The sensitive drainage starts from Kisenyi near Finance Trust Bank on Kafumbe-Mukasa Road and flows into Nakivubo Channel.

Kasule’s letter followed complaints from the area residents to KCC about the structures, which had been placed by unidentified business operators.

“We have received complaints from residents and leaders of Kisenyi II parish about the illegal structures being put up on top of the newly constructed water drains,” Kasule said.

“This is to instruct you to take appropriate action and have all the encroachment on the drains removed, to avert possible flooding,” she ordered.

In another communication of January 29, a neighbour to the disputed premises, John Babali Makanga, said the construction of structures above the channel would make cleaning and maintaining it impossible.

The chairperson of Market View LC-Kisenyi, Mike Sebugwawo, also complained to the council earlier this month, saying he was dissatisfied with people setting up business above the channels, which makes the place un-hygienic.

However, a few years ago, Kampala mayor Nasser Sebaggala recommended the leasing of space above drainage channels to developers.