By Spy Uganda
In a bold and decisive move, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has thrown his full weight behind a redevelopment proposal by city tycoon Dr. Hamis Kiggundu, effectively silencing Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, who has in recent days been spreading propaganda aimed at frustrating the project.
In an official letter dated 2nd August 2025, addressed to Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, the Prime Minister and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, President Museveni expressed strong approval of Ham’s plan to redevelop, upgrade, beautify, and improve the Nakivubo drainage channel — a major infrastructure issue that has long plagued the capital.
The President described Kiggundu’s proposal as “very good,” “imaginative,” and “simple,” praising its potential to address persistent flooding in the city caused by poor waste management and an open drainage system. According to the letter, Ham proposes to cover the channel at his own cost, clean it, and strengthen it structurally. In return, he would be allowed to construct commercial properties above the channel, which would help him recoup his investment.
“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? Simple. Allow him to build properties above it that will bring back the money,” the President wrote, urging government officials to support Ham in executing the plan.
A Direct Blow To Lukwago’s Obstruction
For several days, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been at the forefront of efforts to discredit the project, accusing Ham of encroachment and alleging lack of transparency. However, with the President’s direct endorsement, Lukwago’s narrative appears to have hit a dead end.
The letter was also copied to the Vice President, Minister for Kampala, Minister of Finance, Minister of Education, Attorney General, Minister of the Presidency, and Dr. Hamis Kiggundu himself, signaling high-level consensus on the project’s significance.
Public Interest and Urban Transformation
The Nakivubo Channel, often clogged with plastics, feces, and all sorts of urban waste, has for years been an eyesore and a public health hazard. Ham’s proposal seeks not only to modernize the drainage system but also to beautify the surrounding environment and uplift the image of downtown Kampala.
Critics of the project have yet to present an alternative that offers both environmental remediation and economic development at no cost to the taxpayer. With presidential backing now firmly in place, the path appears clear for implementation.
As Kampala awaits transformation, the big question remains: Will Lukwago continue to resist, or will he step aside and let development speak for itself?
