KCCA halts Ham’s construction works on Nakivubo Channel
“This is a matter of national importance because we are talking about the capital city and public property for which we have authority as custodians. There is no free land in Kampala,” Lukwago emphasised.
Kiggundu had started cordoning off parts of Nakivubo channel, which is among the major drainages in the city. (Credit: Stuart Yiga)
By Umar Kashaka
Journalists @New Vision
KAMPALA - The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has ordered property tycoon Hamis Kiggundu to halt what it is calling illegal construction works on Nakivubo Drainage Channel.
"We met Hamis Kiggundu of Kiham Enterprises Ltd, the company undertaking activities along Nakivubo Channel. We instructed him to halt all activities that are ongoing without the requisite statutory guidance and permission," KCCA said in a brief statement on Friday (August 22).
The statement added: "Under the guidance and supervision of KCCA, the developer is to remove all debris in the channel as a result of his actions, ensure proper flow of storm water and the hoarded section is maintained to avoid any danger to human life and flooding in the area."
Kiggundu had started cordoning off parts of the channel, which is among the major drainages in the city.
This prompted Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago to hold a press conference, during which he said he had petitioned the Inspectorate of Government (IG) to halt the construction works.
“The Constitution that establishes the office of IG and the Act give it overarching powers to make some quick interventions. So, we have asked the IG to invoke those particular provisions and issue an order for the removal of those mabati (iron sheets),” he told the media in Kampala on August 18.
The Lord Mayor, who was flanked by some members of his political wing, said they had already sent their letter to the IG.
He also said they had written to the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi, to help them bring the matter to the attention of Parliament and call for immediate action against Ham and his team.
“This is a matter of national importance because we are talking about the capital city and public property for which we have authority as custodians. There is no free land in Kampala,” Lukwago emphasised.
The move by Ham to start cordoning off the channel on August 16, 2025, under tight security sparked off protests from some vendors, politicians, and environmentalists.
When contacted over the matter, Kiggundu, the director of Ham Enterprises, told New Vision Online that he intends to transform the area from a criminal hub to a thriving business centre.
“Nakivubo had turned into a criminal hideout and a dumping site for all sorts of garbage. On top of that, as advised by Confederation of African Football officials, Nakivubo Stadium, in its current state, cannot host international events with an open drainage channel around it,” he was quoted by the New Vision newspaper as saying recently.