KAMPALA. Ongoing construction works along the disputed Nakivubo Drainage Channel were temporarily suspended Tuesday afternoon following a heavy down pour that swept through Kampala City and its environs.
The fast moving flood waters submerged the channel, washing away some of the construction materials and equipment that were on site . The extend of the damage had not yet been assessed by Wednesday.
On August 22 KCCA issued a directive to businessman Hamis Kiggundu , the proprietor of Ham Enterprises Ltd ,a firm constructing the channel to halt all ongoing activities ,but construction works have continued unabated at the site.
KCCA argued that construction had commenced without the necessary statutory guidance and approval. The National Environment Management Authority (Nema), which is responsible for issuing licences for construction works in wetlands, has yet to approve the project.
The businessman is also planning to erect shops above the drainage channel
The targeted part of the channel stretches from Namayiba Tax Park to Clock Tower .
Background
On April 3, 2025 KCCA convened a council meeting that approved the project’s construction. Tensions escalated on August 16, when Mr Kiggundu cordoned off the channel to begin work, prompting criticism from environmentalists and opposition groups regarding the project’s environmental impact. On August 26, officials from Mr Kiggundu’s team, Nema, and KCCA were summoned by the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (Cosase) to address concerns about the project’s environmental impact and the alleged mismanagement of public resources.
The situation escalated when Speaker Anita Among intervened, halting Cosase’s investigation into the controversial giveaway of the drainage channel. She appointed a five-member fact-finding team tasked with conducting an oversight visit and submit a report to Parliament within 14 days. The report is not yet out .