President Museveni approves Nakivubo Channel redevelopment plan
The President’s letter settles the uncertainty surrounding approval of Kiggundu’s plan, which had divided opinions among Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) councillors and the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago.
Hamis Kiggundu has already fenced off the channel ahead of the redevelopment works. (Courtesy photos)s)
By Eddie Ssejjoba
Journalists @New Vision
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President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, to approve Hamis Kiggundu’s multibillion shilling plan to redevelop Nakivubo Channel and to support him in its execution.
“His proposal is imaginative and simple. Allow him to cover the channel after cleaning it and strengthening it at his own cost. What a really godly proposal? How will he recover his money? Simple. Allow him to build properties above it that will bring back the money,” the President’s letter to the Prime Minister reads in part.
The letter, titled Redevelopment, upgrade, beautification and drainage improvement of Nakivubo Channel, is addressed to Nabbanja as leader of government business and is dated August 2, 2025.
It was copied to the Vice President, the Minister for Kampala, the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, the Attorney General, the Minister of the Presidency and to Kiggundu.
“I have got a very good proposal from Ham Kiggundu dated the 25th of July, 2025, regarding the Nakivubo Drainage Channel,” the President states.
He explained that Kiggundu pointed out how the open channel invites people to throw in rubbish, including plastics and faeces. He said this disgusts those living close to the channel and leads to blockages and flooding.
The President’s letter settles the uncertainty surrounding approval of Kiggundu’s plan, which had divided opinions among Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) councillors and the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago.
Whereas Lukwago has vowed to fight the project, a number of councillors, mainly from the opposition, have endorsed it.
Kiggundu has already fenced off the channel ahead of the redevelopment works.
According to him, the project is crucial for urban renewal and national pride, saying that in its current state, the waterway was dangerous, unhygienic, and a dark symbol of pollution, insecurity, and preventable tragedy.