KAMPALA — Kampala businessman Hamis Kigundu is facing renewed scrutiny over the controversial redevelopment of Nakivubo Channel after a police investigation report revealed that four men were arrested, charged and convicted over the demolition of buildings allegedly carried out without a valid building permit from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
The report has reignited questions about who authorised the demolition, the legality of the ongoing redevelopment and why the investigation, which resulted in the conviction of four men, did not establish who ordered the operation.
Although the report does not implicate Kigundu in the criminal convictions, its revelations have put the spotlight back on the businessman’s high-profile Nakivubo Channel project, which has been dogged by disputes over traders’ property, land ownership and the protection of public land.
The controversy dates back to last year, when President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni asked KCCA to examine issues surrounding Kigundu’s redevelopment of a section of Nakivubo Channel, a major drainage system stretching approximately nine kilometres through central Kampala.
What initially appeared to be a dispute over the drainage channel has since widened, with concerns emerging over alleged encroachment on land associated with St Balikudembe Market, commonly known as Owino Market, which is government-owned and managed by KCCA.
According to a police report dated October 7, 2026, four men identified as Mayanja Hamza, Ssekiddu Joseph Emillam, Kabuye Regean and Sande Robert Kanjako were arrested following investigations into the demolition of buildings and alleged theft of property in Kampala Central Division during the night of March 7–8, 2026.
The report, seen by this publication, indicates that police responded to distress calls, documented the scene, recorded statements from complainants and witnesses, and recovered two excavators suspected of having been used in the demolition.
Investigators also obtained statements from the area chairperson, the Nakivubo Channel Redevelopment Project site manager and KCCA technical staff as they sought to establish what happened during the controversial operation.
KCCA DENIES ISSUING DEMOLITION PERMIT
The investigation took a significant turn when the case file was submitted to the Resident State Attorney on March 9, 2026, for legal guidance.
According to the report, the prosecutor noted that the dispute involved competing land ownership claims between traders’ associations and Ham Enterprises, the company associated with Kigundu.
However, KCCA reportedly informed investigators that it had not issued any person or entity a permit to undertake building operations, including demolition, in the disputed area.
Following the prosecutor’s guidance, the four men were charged with three offences: malicious damage to property belonging to Moses Namatiti Kasajja; malicious damage to property belonging to St Balikudembe Market Stalls, Space and Lockup Shops Owners Association Limited (SSLOA); and carrying out building operations without a valid building permit.
The malicious damage charges were brought under Section 312(1) of the Penal Code Act, Cap. 128, while the charge relating to unauthorised building operations was preferred under Section 33(1) and (2) of the Building Control Act, Cap. 136.
The accused appeared before the Chief Magistrate’s Court at Buganda Road on March 11, 2026, and initially pleaded not guilty to all three charges.
However, on March 18, they changed their pleas to guilty and were convicted on all counts, according to the police report.
The court imposed fines on the first two counts, with six months’ imprisonment in default of payment. On the third count, relating to building operations without a valid permit, the accused were cautioned.
The convictions have intensified scrutiny of the demolition, particularly the reported absence of a valid permit and the question of whether other individuals involved in the operation were investigated.
WHO GAVE THE ORDERS?
Despite documenting the arrests, investigations and convictions, the police report does not identify who ordered the demolition or resolve the underlying land ownership dispute involving the traders’ associations and Ham Enterprises.
This has left unanswered questions about the chain of command behind the operation, the extent of responsibility borne by those who may have organised it, and whether the investigation examined all parties potentially involved.
The report was issued at the request of Kityo and Co. Advocates, who represent Kasajja, following payment under reference number 2270003319736.
For affected traders, the convictions could represent an important development in the search for accountability. However, the available report does not establish whether the convicted men acted independently or on the instructions of others.
Nor does it establish criminal wrongdoing by Kigundu, who remains central to the wider public debate because of his association with the redevelopment project.
The outstanding questions have consequently placed renewed focus on KCCA’s regulatory role, the protection of traders’ property and the circumstances under which demolition and redevelopment activities have proceeded in the area.
MYSTERY DEEPENS OVER ALLEGED DEATH
The Nakivubo demolition controversy has also been clouded by separate allegations surrounding the death of a man identified as Richard Lukyamuzi.
Sources familiar with the matter allege that Lukyamuzi died during events connected to the demolition and that his relatives encountered difficulties in pursuing a case concerning his death.
This publication has also received claims that his body took nearly two weeks to be released for burial.
However, the circumstances of the alleged death, its cause and the reported delay in releasing the body remain subject to independent verification. The police report detailing the four convictions does not establish these claims or link the alleged death to the convicted men.
The allegations nevertheless raise further questions about whether the circumstances surrounding Lukyamuzi’s death were fully investigated and whether his family received satisfactory answers from the relevant authorities.
FRESH QUESTIONS OVER GOVERNMENT LAND
As the Nakivubo Channel redevelopment continues, fresh concerns have emerged over the reported occupation of other public land in Kampala.
Information obtained by this publication alleges that businessman Tom Kitandwe has taken over part of the land occupied by Nakivubo Settlement Government Primary School.
Sources have further alleged that private business arrangements may have been reached between Kitandwe and Kigundu in connection with developments in the area.
However, the nature of any such arrangements, the ownership status of the affected land and the circumstances of the alleged takeover have not been independently established.
The allegations raise questions about the protection of public land, the role of the relevant authorities in safeguarding government institutions and whether the necessary approvals were obtained for developments affecting the school.
KCCA, POLICE UNDER PRESSURE TO EXPLAIN
The latest revelations have renewed calls for clarity over the Nakivubo redevelopment, particularly the demolition of traders’ premises, the reported absence of a valid building permit and the scope of the investigations that led to the four convictions.
Questions also remain over the fate of affected traders, whether compensation has been provided where applicable, how competing land claims will be resolved and what measures are being taken to prevent further disputes.
Kigundu’s role in the redevelopment, the allegations concerning the school land and the circumstances surrounding Lukyamuzi’s reported death remain issues requiring further evidence and responses from the parties concerned.
The police report has established that four men were convicted over offences connected to the demolition. It has not, however, settled the wider questions surrounding who authorised the operation, who ultimately bears responsibility or whether all concerns raised by affected parties have been addressed.
As redevelopment continues to reshape parts of central Kampala, attention is likely to remain on KCCA, Uganda Police and the relevant land authorities to clarify the outstanding issues and demonstrate that the law, public property and the rights of affected traders are being protected.
This publication will continue seeking responses from KCCA, Uganda Police, the relevant land authorities, Ham Enterprises, Kigundu and Kitandwe on the outstanding allegations and questions.
