City businessman Hamis Kiggundu, widely known as Ham, has rolled out a major cleanup exercise along the downstream section of the Nakivubo drainage channel, marking the first step toward long-awaited redevelopment works.
The operation, which deployed heavy machinery, trucks, and a large workforce, targeted waste, debris, and sediment buildup in a section of the channel long associated with flooding, pollution, and poor sanitation.
Kiggundu, who is also spearheading the redevelopment of Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium, said the exercise is part of broader efforts to modernize Kampala’s drainage system while integrating commercial infrastructure.
“This is not just about cleaning; it’s about preparing the foundation for lasting development,” Kiggundu told journalists at the site. “We are committed to working with relevant authorities to ensure that this project benefits the people and the city.”
The upcoming phase of construction will involve covering and modernizing the channel, creating service lanes, installing water filtration chambers, and potentially developing commercial spaces above the infrastructure.
The project is expected to improve flood control, sanitation, and urban renewal in the city’s central business district.
President Museveni recently endorsed the businessman's proposal to redevelop Nakivubo Channel.
In an August, 2, 2025 letter to the Prime Minister, President Museveni said he had been excited by Ham’s proposal to redevelop, upgrade, beautify, and improve Nakivubo channel.
“Ham points out that the fact that the channel is open, invites people to throw in rubbish including plastics , feaces, etc , all of which disgust the people , contagious to the channel, lead to blockages of the channel and flooding,” Museveni said.
The president said Ham will be able to recoup his investment by constructing properties on top of the channel where he will be getting rent.
“His proposal is imaginative and simple. Allow him to cover the channel after cleaning it and strengthening it at his own cost. What a really godly proposal! How will he recover his money? Allow him build properties above it that will bring back his money,” Museveni said.
