Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has ordered city businessman Hamis Kiggundu to immediately open drainage channels around the Nakivubo Water Channel to avert further flooding in Kampala’s Central Business District (CBD).
The directive follows last week’s flash floods that left traders counting losses worth millions of shillings after water swept through several arcades and streets.
The visit came just days after heavy rains overwhelmed the drainage system, sparking outrage among traders who blamed the flooding on blocked waterways caused by ongoing construction works linked to Kiggundu’s multibillion real estate project.
Nabbanja issued the directive on Monday during an inspection tour of the ongoing Nakivubo Channel construction works, accompanied by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials and area leaders.
“We cannot allow business owners to continue suffering losses because of construction activities,” Nabbanja said, adding that the works must continue only if they do not obstruct water flow.
She instructed Kiggundu to urgently create access points for water to drain into the main Nakivubo Channel while longer-term engineering solutions are completed.
The Prime Minister also assured traders that government is committed to addressing the city’s recurrent flooding problem, noting that Kampala’s drainage system has long been overstretched by rapid urban growth and unregulated construction.
KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki welcomed the directive, saying the authority will work with the developer to ensure compliance without halting the project.
“We want development, but it must be development that protects livelihoods,” she said.
However, traders remain skeptical. Many who gathered under the scorching sun to witness the inspection said they have suffered repeated losses and want compensation or assurances before the rains intensify.
Construction around the Nakivubo Channel is part of a wider redevelopment project intended to modernize the CBD, but concerns over poor planning and environmental risks continue to grow.
The government is expected to issue a detailed technical report on the next steps later this week.