Ham’s New Modern Nakivubo Arcades reshapes Downtown Business amid mixed reactions.

The redevelopment of the Nakivubo area by businessman Hamis Kiggundu has reached a significant milestone with the opening of new, modern arcades, but the project continues to face intense mixed reactions. 

The project’s investment estimated to over $48 million features developed modern shopping centers surrounding the historic stadium, officially opened, aiming to modernize downtown Kampala.

Among the reaction that faced the project was from traders who alleged that the construction over the Nakivubo Channel violated environmental laws and caused catastrophic, and repeated flooding, but government have long intervened to protect the heavy investment by Hamis Kiggundi through a compensation plan to the victims.

Currently according to the public and traders they have expressed gratitude to the rapid modernisation in the channel, wondering how investors turn an entrepreneur’s risk into a reality.

One trader Abdalah in an Inter described it as a mixture of rapid modernization and infrastructural chaos, with commuters and traders facing disruptions with developers.

Last August, the redevelopment gained momentum after receiving approval from Yoweri Museveni, who directed government agencies to support the plan by Hamis Kiggundu.

The goal was clear: solve the flooding crisis while creating structured trading space for Kampala’s growing business community. This also is said to have followed a concern to develop the surroundings channels near Hamz Nakivubo stadium.

The 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, this prompted applauds from various traders and the public as visionary project set to benefit Kampala traders, customers, revenue to govern while allowing waterto flow through the structure among other benefits.