Police Patrol Nakivubo Drainage as Redevelopment Sparks Tensions
Kampala, Uganda – Police were on Monday seen patrolling the cordoned-off Nakivubo drainage channel, following a controversial move by Ham Enterprises to take charge of the site for redevelopment.
The drainage system, which stretches from Kiseka Market to Owino Market, has been sealed off by the company owned by businessman Hamis Kiggundu. The area is slated for transformation into a “smart drainage system” under the Nakivubo Channel Development Project, part of a wider urban renewal initiative.
However, the development has drawn criticism from Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who accuses Kiggundu of encroaching on public land. According to Lukwago, the takeover of the drainage channel has worsened flooding in downtown Kampala and disrupted business operations for vendors at Owino Market.
“This is a public drainage channel meant to serve the city. Encroaching on it not only undermines urban planning but also puts thousands of livelihoods at risk,” Lukwago charged.
Police presence at the site has heightened tensions, with traders and city leaders divided over whether the redevelopment is a much-needed facelift or a case of private interests taking precedence over public welfare.
The Nakivubo Channel has long been a flashpoint in Kampala’s struggle with urban flooding, poor sanitation, and contested land ownership. The current standoff is expected to spark further debate on the balance between private investment and public interest in the city’s redevelopment agenda.
