Renovation works at the Nakivubo drainage channel in Kampala are continuing despite a directive from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) halting the project.
On August 22, 2025, KCCA instructed city businessman Hamis Kiggundu, through his company Ham Enterprises Ltd, to stop the ongoing construction. The authority cited the absence of statutory approvals and technical guidance from key government agencies, including the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
Despite the order, workers remain on site, pushing ahead with excavation and structural works. The development has stirred debate about regulatory enforcement and the balance of power between government institutions and private developers.
The standoff is further complicated by a letter from President Yoweri Museveni, dated August 2, addressed to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja. In the letter, the President backed Kiggundu’s redevelopment of the Nakivubo channel, describing it as a crucial step towards modernising the city’s drainage system, mitigating recurrent flooding, and enhancing Kampala’s overall outlook.
Museveni’s support has emboldened the developer, who has in recent years been involved in other high-profile urban redevelopment projects. Critics, however, argue that bypassing established approval processes sets a dangerous precedent and undermines environmental safeguards.
KCCA has not clarified whether it will escalate enforcement measures, while NEMA is yet to publicly comment on the matter. Meanwhile, residents and business owners around the central business district, who have long endured seasonal flooding, are watching closely to see whether the works will deliver lasting solutions or trigger fresh controversies.
The Nakivubo channel, one of Kampala’s main drainage arteries, has historically been a flashpoint in the city’s flood management struggles. The current impasse highlights the tension between executive directives and institutional regulation in shaping urban development.