Kampala Minister Hajjati Minsa Kabanda is demanding KCCA to explain how City tycoon Hamis Kiggundu got the green light to build on Nakivubo canal, a move some claim is behind last Saturday’s devastating floods in Owino Market.
Kabanda wants answers, and has given KCCA officials until Wednesday, November 20, to submit a report.
In a statement, Ham Enterprises denied the rumors that they had not received KCCA permission to build, saying that KCCA officials themselves approved the construction plan and gave them permission to do the work.
The tycoon insists his construction is all part of the grand plan to redevelop Nakivubo Stadium and insists he did everything by the book.
“The work was approved by KCCA themselves. Among the main duties of KCCA is to verify the plan and monitor the activities that are not in violation of any law, so the allegation that our work is illegal, is a complete lie” he said
As Kampala residents and environmentalists cry foul, Ham has hit back at claims that his project caused the floods.
“The canal is covered, and water flows freely underneath,” he explained,
He further stated: “The projects associated with Hamz Nakivubo Stadium are not only vital for local growth but are also essential to the overall development strategy of our community,”
He argued that urban drainage issues cannot be pinned to a single development, but systemic problems like unregulated garbage disposal, encroachment on wetlands, and insufficient drainage infrastructure.
He reiterated his commitment to adhering to approved construction plans and called for collaboration among stakeholders to address these persistent challenges holistically.
Recent flooding at Owino Market, also known as St. Balikuddembe Market, has brought attention to drainage issues linked to the Nakivubo Channel in Kampala.
Heavy rains on November 16, 2024, caused water to overflow, inundating the market and affecting traders and their goods. The flooding has sparked a debate over urban planning and environmental management.
Hamis Kiggundu, of Ham Enterprises, who is involved in construction projects near the Nakivubo Channel, has been accused of contributing to the drainage problems.
Nakivubo Channel, a vital drainage system spanning over nine kilometers, has faced persistent challenges, including silt accumulation, encroachment, and indiscriminate garbage disposal.
