By Diana Kintu.
In a significant urban development initiative, a project to redevelop the Nakivubo drainage channel in Kampala is now underway. The project, led by Ham Enterprises Uganda Ltd., involves covering, upgrading, and beautifying the open channel, with work commencing over the weekend under the protection of the army and police.
The initiative follows a proposal from businessman Hamis Kiggundu, which received direct approval from the President in a letter dated August 2nd, 2025. The President described the proposal as “imaginative and simple” and “a really godly proposal,” directing officials to help execute the plan.
The core of the proposal is for the developer to clean and strengthen the channel at his own cost and then be permitted to build revenue-generating properties above it to recover his investment.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials have acknowledged the activity. Authority spokesperson Dan NuweAbine stated that while they are aware of the development, a team is likely to visit the area on Monday to carry out further assessments.
When contacted, Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu confirmed that the project is his and that he intends to transform the area from a criminal hub into a thriving business centre. He highlighted that the open channel had become a dumping site for garbage and a criminal hideout.
Furthermore, he noted that the current state of the nearby Nakivubo Stadium, with an open drainage channel surrounding it, prevents it from hosting international events, as advised by the Confederation of African Football officials.
This project aligns with a formal resolution passed by the KCCA council during an ordinary meeting on April 3rd, 2025. The council resolved to adopt a holistic approach to the city’s flooding challenges by moving away from traditional open drainage methods and instead prioritising regulated modern methods that include covering and beautification. The council specifically identified Ham Enterprises as the best choice for this job and also rejected the demolition of a structure the company had previously built on the channel.
The state minister for Kampala Capital City Metropolitan Affairs, Kabuye Kyofatoganye, welcomed the project. He stated that the city would get a facelift and that the government had been struggling to find 40 billion shillings to address the drainage issue.
He also stated that those claiming to be operating on the drainage are doing so illegally and should vacate immediately. He commended the KCCA council, specifically the speaker Zahara Luyirika’s committee, for passing the resolution, calling it “one of the best decisions that the KCCA council has achieved in the last four years.”
The KCCA resolution also addressed broader flood control measures. It directed that 64 billion shillings, originally allocated to the Ministry of Kampala for flood control, be used instead to compensate persons affected by the new projects.
Additionally, the council resolved that the central government should urgently provide funding to complete the construction of the Nalukolongo Kaliddubi and the remaining 980-meter stretch of the Lubigi drainage channel.