Published on 22/08/2025
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE), Hon. Medard Ssegona, has directed various authorities in metropolitan Kampala and line ministries responsible for land governance to appear before the committee to address growing concerns over the ongoing construction works at the Nakivubo drainage channel.
While meeting with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials on August 22, 2025, Ssegona dismissed widespread claims that President Museveni had written to the Prime Minister instructing the allocation of the Nakivubo drainage channel to city businessman Hamis Kiggundu for development. He instructed the concerned parties to reappear before the committee on August 26 to provide clear explanations to the public.
“The Inspector General of Police, as the deploying authority, must explain why police officers are blocking KCCA’s enforcement teams from executing their duties. Similarly, the Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs should clarify how land allocation in Kampala is being managed,” Ssegona said.
The COSASE chair also tasked KCCA Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki to clarify whether she is still effectively in charge and capable of enforcing the law without fear or favor. He further directed the Speaker of KCCA to confirm whether the City Council approved any resolution authorizing the development.
“We also need to know if an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was conducted,” Ssegona added. “We have received complaints that the channel has been blocked with soil, resulting in floods. The public deserves to understand the rationale for developing the channel and whether it benefits the environment and the city at large.”
Ssegona further noted that Kiggundu must personally appear before the committee to explain his authority to take over the land without formal allocation.
“I hope the allegations against him are not true. I did not want a situation where he is accused in his absence. Since he is in the country, he should come and speak for himself,” he remarked.
The COSASE chair also questioned why both KCCA and Kiham Enterprises are prioritizing the Nakivubo drainage channel over other heavily affected areas. He pointed to the Bwaise–Lubigi drainage along the Northern Bypass, which he described as a “national embarrassment.”
“How do you pass by the gateway of the country—the Northern Bypass—where visitors from Entebbe International Airport enter Uganda, only to find Bwaise drainage channel choked with garbage and in a worse state than the Kiteezi landfill? Yet, authorities are focused on Nakivubo, which is in relatively better condition,” he said.
During the meeting, KCCA presented a letter dated August 20, 2025, ordering Kiham Enterprises to halt construction activities at Nakivubo. However, committee members criticized the directive as “sweet talk” aimed at appeasing the developer.
On its official X (formerly Twitter) account, KCCA posted:
“We met with Mr. Hamis Kiggundu of Kiham Enterprises Ltd, the company undertaking activities along Nakivubo Channel. We instructed him to halt all ongoing works being carried out without statutory guidance and permission. Under KCCA’s supervision, the developer is required to remove all debris caused by his actions, restore proper stormwater flow, and ensure that the hoarded section is maintained to prevent flooding and safeguard human life.”
