Kampala Lord Mayor Demands Legal Action Against Tycoon Hamis Kiggundu Over Illegal Construction on Nakivubo Drainage Channel
Kampala Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago has called for legal action against businessman Hamis Kiggundu over alleged illegal construction that has disrupted the Nakivubo drainage channel, leading to severe flooding in the city.
During a press conference at City Hall on Thursday, Lukwago accused Kiggundu of erecting structures on the vital "Jugular" drainage channel, which serves Nakivubo and extends to Lake Victoria. The Lord Mayor claims that Kiggundu lacks an approved building plan and that the construction has significantly worsened the city's drainage challenges.
Lukwago further criticized former Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Acting Executive Director Frank Rusa, who now serves as Director of Legal Affairs, for allegedly granting Kiggundu permission to proceed with the development despite legal directives to halt the project. He alleged that Rusa held a private meeting with Kiggundu at KCCA while still in office.
According to the Mayor, KCCA’s legal team conducted inspections and confirmed that Kiggundu did not have an approved building plan. The businessman was given time to demolish the structures, but no action was taken.
"Despite being summoned by the court last November, Hamis Kiggundu has failed to comply. We are now determined to prosecute him to set a precedent for others engaging in similar illegal developments," Lukwago stated.
The Lord Mayor insisted that Kiggundu must appear before KCCA court to face the charges, regardless of the circumstances.
Efforts made to reach out to the former acting Executive Director KCCA, Mr. Frank Rusa, Friday, he declined further comments on the matter and described that he handed over the office to the present Executive Director and it is the office responsible for that response.
However, he also added that the Lord Mayor is in a political season and trying to seek political attention towards the upcoming general elections of 2026.
