PARLIAMENT .Investigations by the Public Accounts Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (PAC-COSASE) into how Kampala property magnet Hamis Kiggundu got clearance to redevelop Nakivubo Drainage Channel have suffered a setback following Speaker Anita Among’s intervention .
A power struggle over who should investigate the project is now threatening to overshadow the core question of whether Kampala’s main drainage channel is being unlawfully taken over by Mr Kiggundu to erect shops above it .
Addressing COSASE members on Tuesday, the committee Chairperson Medard Lubega Sseggona revealed that he had received a letter from the Speaker directing the committee to step aside, citing the establishment of a seIparate select team under the Physical Infrastructure Committee to conduct a fact-finding mission on the matter.
COSASE was today scheduled to grill Mr Kiggundu, commonly known as Ham, over the controversial redevelopment of the Nakivubo Drainage Channel. The decision was announced in the middle of a meeting where Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials, including Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago and Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki, had appeared to explain the project.
Proceedings were immediately suspended following the directive.
Among has appointed a five-member select team, comprising MPs Daniel Kimosho, Muhammad Nsegumire, David Kabanda, Peter Mugema and Ibanda Rwemulikya, to investigate the matter and report back to the House.
The Speaker’s move, however, triggered heated debate among committee members, with some questioning whether due procedure had been followed in constituting the select team.
Lord Mayor Lukwago strongly opposed the intervention, describing it as a “choreographed move” to shield Kiggundu.
“This is a clear attempt to protect the interests of the tycoon and undermine the authority of KCCA. We will not let this matter rest,” he said.
KCCA Speaker Zahara Luyirika also dismissed reports that the KCCA council had passed a resolution granting Kiggundu control of the channel.
“Such claims are politically motivated and baseless,” she said.
Among’s intervention shifts the inquiry from COSASE to the Physical Infrastructure Committee, with the select team’s findings expected to shape the next steps in the contentious redevelopment saga.
The businessman owns a chain of commercial buildings in Kampala and a few years ago won President Museveni’s favour and cleared him to redevelop Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium ,he has since renamed Ham Stadium .