KAMPALA – A group of hawkers operating in downtown Kampala, alongside city activist and aspiring Member of Parliament for Kampala Central Division, Susan Kushabe, have formally petitioned the World Bank, seeking intervention against a controversial development along the former Nakivubo Channel.
The petition, dated September 17, 2025, accuses several government officials within the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and prominent tycoon Ham Kiggundu of unlawfully interfering with the critical drainage system. The petitioners describe the ongoing development as “illegal and environmentally hazardous.”
In the document, submitted by Susan Kushabe on behalf of the affected traders, the developers are alleged to have acted “without legal authorization, environmental safeguards, or transparency.” The group contends that the project poses a significant threat to the channel’s primary function as a critical drainage and flood management system in the heart of Uganda’s capital.
The Nakivubo Channel, historically known for its foul smell and as a haven for criminal activity, is a vital waterway that drains stormwater from large parts of the city. The petitioners argue that the unregulated development jeopardizes this function, raising the risk of severe flooding in the city center.
Furthermore, the traders report that the project has already negatively impacted their work and livelihoods along the channel. The appeal to the World Bank signals a significant escalation in the community’s efforts to challenge the development, moving beyond local authorities to seek international oversight.
