Kampala — Ugandan businessman Hamis Kiggundu has officially unveiled the newly developed Nakivubo arcades in downtown Kampala, marking a major milestone in his multi-million-dollar redevelopment project over the Nakivubo Channel.
The project, reportedly valued at about $48 million, was approved by President Yoweri Museveni in August 2025 as part of broader efforts to address chronic flooding in Kampala’s central business district while simultaneously creating modern commercial spaces for traders.
Photos shared on Saturday by Kiggundu showed bustling retail activity, with traders already occupying the new arcades and selling clothes and other merchandise in one of the city’s busiest commercial zones.
FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY…ALHAMDULILLAH pic.twitter.com/2pccWWuisZ
— Dr. Hamis Kiggundu (@KiggunduHamis) May 2, 2026
Constructed above the now-covered Nakivubo Channel, the development sits close to key downtown markets and is expected to significantly reshape business operations in the area.
Supporters of the project have praised it as an ambitious private-sector intervention that could help revitalize Kampala’s overcrowded city centre, improve drainage management, and expand business opportunities for thousands of traders.
However, the project has also attracted criticism and controversy.
Its construction followed legal disputes involving traders and disagreements with city authorities, with some stakeholders questioning aspects of the redevelopment process and its long-term impact on urban planning.
Others have expressed disappointment that the final structure appears more functional than visionary, noting that the completed arcades differ significantly from earlier AI-generated concept images that circulated online, which depicted green gardens, upscale pedestrian walkways, and more elaborate architectural features.
Critics argue that while the project may offer practical commercial benefits, it falls short of the ambitious aesthetic expectations initially created by promotional visuals.
Still, for many traders and shoppers, the immediate focus remains on business potential rather than architectural debate.
The opening of the Nakivubo arcades represents another major investment by Hamis Kiggundu in Kampala’s urban transformation and reinforces his growing influence in shaping parts of the capital’s commercial landscape.
As business activity picks up, attention is likely to remain on whether the project successfully balances flood control, trader welfare, and sustainable city development.
