'Competent local investors should invest in the city's drainage system'

KAMPALA - Kampala's recent devastating floods that have claimed lives of some city residents have prompted a section of leaders calling for able and competent local investors to come up, develop, and upgrade drainage channels across the city.

“There is need to invest in underground drainage and shift away from most of these open channels, which are prone to blockage by solid waste. Therefore, competent local investors are called upon to come on board and invest in the city’s drainage system for the betterment of our city,” said former Kampala Capital City Authority acting executive director Frank Nyakana Rusa.

Rusa, now working in KCCA’s office of Director of Legal Affairs also refuted Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago’s claims that he (Rusa) should be interdicted for illegally authorising city tycoon Dr. Hajji Hamis Kiggundu for constructing on top of Jugula water channel, claiming that the said construction is the cause of recent floods that hit the city and wreaked havoc.

“That the reason which created floods then in St. Balikuddembe market was the silting, and Ham Enterprises committed to desilt that entire place so that we can see whether the flooding shall continue. And in fact, he did what he was supposed to do and the floods in St. Balikuddembe stopped; even these recent floods which happened in the city, St. Balikuddembe did not flood,” explained Rusa.

In the recent KCCA council meeting convened on Thursday (April 3), the City’s Executive Committee presented a critical report highlighting ongoing challenges of the city’s drainage systems, including mismanaged funds to drainage, illegal encroachments, and cluttered drainage systems, among others. 

Kampala drainage Master Plan

In 2003, Kampala prepared the Kampala Drainage Master Plan to upgrade drainage systems and reduce the frequency of flooding due to increased urbanisation and development. 

However, settlements and industrial developments have expanded from Kampala’s hills into low-lying areas near drainage channels, which are part of wetlands and floodplains. 

This has led to increased flooding. For this reason, the National Environment Management Authority began evicting communities and demolishing structures in the Lubigi wetland last June. 

As of 2016, Kampala’s main drainage systems covered a total catchment area of 278.7km. 

Only two of the eight primary channels, Nakivubo and Lubigi, have been upgraded to date, leaving six primary channels and numerous secondary and tertiary drainage systems still undeveloped and prone to flooding. 

Due to rapid urban development and climate change, KCCA officials emphasised the need to update the Kampala Drainage Master Plan to guide future drainage upgrades and reduce flooding impacts.