Kampala Traders Sue Hamis Kiggundu, NEMA, and KCCA Over Nakivubo Channel Flooding
KAMPALA – A group of city traders has taken businessman Hamis Kiggundu, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to court, alleging that illegal construction on the Nakivubo Drainage Channel is responsible for the severe flooding plaguing city arcades.
The traders, led by Godfrey Katongole, are seeking billions of Ugandan shillings in compensation for losses incurred due to flood damage to their merchandise and businesses.
The lawsuit, filed against Hamis Kiggundu (commonly known as Ham) and the two government bodies, centers on construction activities allegedly being carried out by Kiggundu on the vital drainage channel. The traders argue that these structures are obstructing the water flow, leading to repeated flooding in commercial buildings during heavy rains.
A key point of contention raised by the traders is that a presidential letter, which they believe Kiggundu may be relying on, does not exempt him from obtaining the mandatory environmental and planning approvals from NEMA and KCCA.
The traders’ lawyer, Kasule Mpologoma, has taken immediate action by requesting the court to issue an urgent injunction to halt the ongoing construction. This legal move aims to prevent further alleged alteration of the channel until the case is fully heard and determined.
This legal battle highlights the growing tension between urban development and environmental management in Kampala. It also puts a spotlight on the accountability of developers and the role of regulatory bodies in enforcing construction laws, especially in critical ecological zones like drainage channels.
The case is expected to be closely watched by the business community and city residents who have long grappled with the destructive effects of flooding in the capital.
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