Outgoing Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has sharply criticised the city’s political leadership and alleged central government interference following the late-night demolition of a structure at St. Balikudembe (Owino) Market.
The demolition, which reportedly occurred at about 10pm on March 7, 2026, has sparked controversy in the city.
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) issued a statement on Sunday condemning the act, describing it as a “reckless” demolition carried out under the cover of darkness without authorisation.
However, Lukwago suggested that the authority may be powerless to stop such actions.
Speaking during an appearance on NBS Morning Breeze, the Lord Mayor questioned the silence of Kampala’s Members of Parliament and the slow progress of parliamentary investigations into KCCA matters.
“You can politically indict me, but you know the truth,” Lukwago said. “Where are the MPs in all this? Kampala has 10 MPs. Has anyone come out to say anything?”
He expressed frustration over what he described as a stalled parliamentary probe into issues concerning the city authority.
“I personally took the matters of KCCA to Parliament… Up to today, that committee hasn’t made a report,” Lukwago said, referring to a fact-finding committee led by Dan Kimosho that had been tasked by the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) to investigate KCCA affairs.
Lukwago alleged that the demolition, which occurred near the boundary of the Nakivubo Channel along Sebana Road, may have been ordered by powerful actors outside the jurisdiction of the city authority.
“KCCA has no capacity to halt what is happening at St. Balikudembe market,” he said.
“That operation to demolish that building at the market must have been sanctioned from above. I sympathise with the Executive Director of KCCA.”
While KCCA’s statement said the demolition had not been authorised by the authority, speculation has circulated on social media about who may have been behind the operation.
Some commentators have pointed to businessman Hamis Kiggundu, citing previous disputes involving developments along the Nakivubo Channel.
However, there has been no official confirmation linking him to the incident, and he has not publicly responded to the claims.
The incident adds to ongoing tensions between traders and developers in Kampala’s rapidly changing commercial landscape.
St. Balikudembe Market, popularly known as Owino, remains one of the city’s largest and busiest trading centres, and disputes over nearby land and infrastructure developments have periodically raised concerns among traders about the security of their businesses.
