Some of the Merchandise soiled by floods in Kampala.
Two traders’ associations have sued businessman Hamis Kiggundu and his company, Kiham Enterprises, over what they describe as illegal construction works along the Nakivubo Channel.
The suit, filed on Monday before the Civil Division of the High Court, also cites the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) for allegedly failing to regulate and supervise the controversial project.
The petitioners, Kampala Arcaders Traders Association (KATA) and UNATA Traders Association Uganda Limited, are seeking court declarations that Kiggundu’s ongoing constructions are unlawful. They want a permanent injunction to halt further works along the drainage channel, compensation for damages, and orders for the removal of debris and obstructions from the waterway.
They claim the project has caused massive flooding, damaging merchandise and threatening livelihoods in business premises along Nabugabo Street, including French Plaza, Total Plaza, Jambole Plaza, Pentagon Arcade, Capital Arcade, 888 Plaza, BMK Plaza, PAPAZ Plaza, Shauriako, BBC Plaza, and Channel Street.
According to court filings, the controversy stems from a proposal submitted by Kiggundu to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on July 25, 2025, seeking permission to cover the Nakivubo Channel to address sanitation concerns and blockages. The President approved the plan in a letter to the Prime Minister the following month, directing that Kiggundu be allowed to execute the project.
But the traders argue that this presidential endorsement bypassed mandatory environmental impact assessments and urban planning approvals from NEMA and KCCA, rendering the construction illegal.
Through their lawyers, M/s Luzige, Lubega, Kavuma & Co. Advocates, the traders say they repeatedly tried to engage Kiggundu and his company, visiting the construction site and raising concerns about the floods and property damage. They also petitioned Parliament, prompting a meeting between the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) and KCCA officials on August 26, 2025, where oversight of the project was promised.
“Despite numerous appeals and engagements, construction has continued without addressing our concerns,” reads part of the suit. The traders say their fight is not merely against a businessman, but for the soul of Kampala’s future, a city where development respects the environment and every citizen’s right to safety and livelihood.
The petition further accuses NEMA and KCCA of gross negligence and failure to enforce the law, saying their inaction has allowed private developers to tamper with critical drainage infrastructure at the expense of the public. But, in a separate statement issued on Sunday, KCCA attributed the recent flash floods in parts of the city to unusually heavy rainfall, not construction activities.
The Authority said that while newly improved drainage systems in areas like Soya-Bunga, Lubigi, Nakamiro, and Kibuli, flooding was reported along Nakivubo Channel and around the Old Taxi Park, where several basement premises were submerged.
KCCA stated it had deployed teams in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force and National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to evacuate water and clear debris. Engineers are reportedly monitoring flood-prone zones and inspecting sites for compliance.
The Authority, led by Hajjati Sharifah Buzeki, also urged residents to remain vigilant during the rainy season, avoid flood-prone routes, and report blocked drains for swift action.
Meanwhile, Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has called for the prosecution of Hamis Kiggundu, accusing him of “blatant impunity” and reckless disregard for the city’s environmental laws.
“This is not just about money or property, it’s about human safety and respect for public infrastructure,” Lukwago said, vowing to rally support for traders affected by what he termed an environmental disaster in the making.
Kiggundu has not yet been summoned to respond to the allegations. The case will be allocated to a judge for hearing once preliminary filings are complete.
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