BREAKING!! City Tycoon Ham  Kiggundu To Be Arrested For Plans Of Revamping Nakivubo Drainage Channel

Businessman Hamis Kiggundu, popularly known as Ham, is once again in the spotlight after his grand Shs180 billion plan to revamp Kampala’s Nakivubo drainage channel hit a fresh hurdle. The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has declared that it has not approved the controversial project, despite public belief that work was already underway.

NEMA’s Executive Director, Dr. Barirega Akankwasa, revealed this while appearing before Parliament’s Defence and Internal Affairs Committee. He clarified that what Ham’s team is currently doing amounts to clearing debris and soil, not the full redevelopment project that has been widely discussed.

“The full upgrade, including covering the drainage and constructing commercial structures, has not started because both KCCA and NEMA have not approved the designs or assessed the environmental impact,” Dr. Akankwasa explained. His statement poured cold water on assumptions that the businessman had already been cleared to proceed.

Through his company, Kiham Enterprises, Kiggundu envisions turning the city’s troubled Nakivubo Channel into a modern drainage system. His plan is to clean, cover, and reinforce the channel while simultaneously building shopping centers and malls above it. According to Ham, this is a sustainable model that will pay for itself while solving Kampala’s flooding problem.

Regulators, however, caution that such an ambitious project is not as simple as it seems. Akankwasa pointed out that environmental and social impact assessments usually take at least 60 days. He added that while NEMA is ready to act quickly when the formal request arrives, so far they have only received preliminary proposals.

“We cannot approve anything that worsens Kampala’s flooding risk,” Akankwasa warned. He emphasized that NEMA’s job is not to frustrate development but to ensure projects do not endanger the environment or residents.

The Nakivubo saga has divided Kampala’s political class. Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has positioned himself as Ham’s strongest critic, accusing state institutions of being bypassed and warning that presidential influence could weaken Uganda’s institutional checks and balances.

But Lukwago’s opposition is not universally shared. His rival, NUP politician Ronald Balimwezo, has openly supported Ham’s initiative, calling it practical and forward-looking. Other politicians, though less vocal, quietly agree. Many residents too have thrown their weight behind Ham, arguing that Lukwago has spent years blocking projects while the city continues to drown in floods, traffic, and poor sanitation.

Still, some environmentalists and community leaders are worried. They fear that covering the channel might restrict water flow and make maintenance nearly impossible. Akankwasa responded by assuring the public that NEMA will only approve the project if the risks can be managed. If not, he said, the project will be rejected outright.

For Hamis Kiggundu, the stakes are higher than ever. With growing political backing and support from the President himself, his Nakivubo dream is within reach. But unless NEMA and KCCA give the green light, construction cannot begin. The next few weeks will be decisive—either Kampala witnesses a historic transformation of its central drainage system, or Ham’s grand plan joins the long list of stalled urban projects.