Kampala, Uganda – A fresh storm has erupted in the capital after Kampala businessman Hamis Kiggundu, popularly known as Ham, moved to seal off sections of the Nakivubo drainage channel as part of his ongoing redevelopment of Nakivubo Stadium. The move has sparked outrage from city dwellers, hawkers, and Kampala’s Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who has described the project as a fraudulent appropriation of public property.
On Friday, social media was set ablaze after images and videos emerged showing parts of the drainage channel barricaded, with reports confirming that Ham Enterprises had received clearance from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to proceed with new structural works atop the channel.
Lukwago Cries Foul
Lord Mayor Lukwago did not mince his words in response. In a strongly worded statement, he accused both KCCA and the developer of undermining the public interest.
“Public property (Nakivubo Drainage channel) fraudulently appropriated by unscrupulous individuals (Ham Enterprises) and you hear some charlatans hyping it as development! Ooh Uganda, may God uphold thee…” Lukwago wrote.
According to him, the governance of Kampala has “slipped out of the hands of elected leaders” and is now dictated by wealthy businessmen and politically connected individuals. He further criticized what he called gaps in the KCCA Act, arguing that the law does little to protect ordinary citizens — such as the hawkers (batembeyi) who relied on the Nakivubo area for daily survival — and instead privileges elite business interests.
Ham Defends Redevelopment Plan
In sharp contrast, Ham Kiggundu defended his project, insisting that it was fully approved by KCCA and forms part of a long-term strategy to enhance Kampala’s infrastructure.
“We don’t need to leave Uganda. We simply need to develop it into the Europe we desire… FOR GOD AND MY COUNTRY,” he posted on X, sharing a plan of the redevelopment site.
Ham maintains that the stadium and surrounding works will transform downtown Kampala into a modern hub, creating jobs and spurring economic growth.
Public Backlash and Displacement Concerns
For hawkers and small traders, however, the sealing off of the drainage channel spells immediate uncertainty. Many argue that they have been pushed out without alternatives, deepening frustrations over what they view as a pattern of elite-driven city development that sidelines the poor.
Analysts note that this clash underscores a broader dilemma in Kampala: balancing modernization and infrastructure growth with inclusivity and the protection of public spaces.
The Bigger Picture
This is not the first time Ham’s projects have drawn controversy. His redevelopment of Nakivubo Stadium — launched with fanfare and government backing — has been hailed by some as visionary but criticized by others as opaque and exclusionary. Lukwago’s latest outburst signals escalating tensions between City Hall and powerful private developers over who truly controls the direction of Kampala’s growth.
As the debate rages on, the fate of Nakivubo’s drainage channel — once a lifeline for the city’s stormwater management and for hawkers who operated nearby — now hangs at the intersection of law, politics, and private capital.
