KCCA Halts Nakivubo Channel Construction, Blames It for City Flooding
KAMPALA – The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has issued a stern stop-order to Kiham Enterprises (U) Ltd, suspending all construction works on the Nakivubo Channel and holding the company responsible for the severe flooding that inundated parts of the Central Business District (CBD) last week.
In a strongly-worded letter dated November 3, 2025, KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki accused the company of blatantly disregarding planning regulations, leading to a man-made disaster.
The flooding occurred in the early hours of Friday, October 31, after heavy rainfall lasting approximately four hours. Key areas such as Sebaana Road and Allen Road were severely affected, with water unable to drain away.
A subsequent technical investigation by KCCA revealed that the ongoing construction was a primary cause of the problem. The authority’s findings pointed to three major failures by the contractor:
- Poor Debris Management: Construction waste was piled along the road and not hauled away, physically blocking the path of stormwater.
- Blocked Drainage Inlets: The construction works had sealed off several stormwater discharge points into the channel, causing a backflow of water onto the roads. This explained the paradoxical scene of low water levels in the channel itself while adjacent roads were submerged.
- Obstructive Formwork: The vertical timber props placed underneath the new bridge slabs acted as a trap for garbage and waste, significantly slowing the flow of water down the channel.
The letter states that this was a new and worsened situation, as such severe water retention was not observed during rains earlier in October, before the dense concentration of timber props was installed.
KCCA had previously issued a conditional approval to Kiham Enterprises on September 9, 2025, but the company commenced work without fulfilling the required conditions or obtaining a final building permit.
Directives and Oversight
Executive Director Buzeki has formally instructed Kiham Enterprises to:
· Immediately suspend all construction activities until all conditions are met and a building permit is granted.
· Remove all formwork, hoardings, and timber props from the channel to restore the free flow of water.
· Open all blocked drainage inlets along Sebaana and Allen Roads.
· Remove illegally installed concrete culverts and replace them with an open cut-off drain under the guidance of KCCA engineers.
· Safely dispose of all construction debris piled along the channel.
· Deploy suction trucks to flood-prone areas in the meantime.
To ensure compliance, KCCA has assembled a dedicated oversight team led by Eng. Maurice Kairania, the Deputy Director of Roads and Drainage. The team is tasked with monitoring the contractor’s progress and submitting regular updates to the Executive Director.
The letter has been copied to high-ranking officials, including the Minister of Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs, the Lord Mayor, and the Head of Public Service, indicating the seriousness with which the government is treating the issue.
This enforcement action highlights the growing scrutiny on construction practices in Kampala and the critical need for adherence to urban planning regulations to prevent environmental and public nuisance.
About The Author
