Kiggundu Moves Heavy Machinery to Nakivubo Channel in Redevelopment Push

Kampala’s long-troubled Nakivubo drainage channel is finally set for a new lease of life after city businessman Hamis Kiggundu, widely known as Ham, launched a sweeping cleanup operation on its downstream section.

The effort, which began with the deployment of heavy machinery, trucks, and a large workforce, marked the first visible step toward the long-promised redevelopment of one of the city’s most important but neglected water channels.

The Nakivubo Channel, which snakes through downtown Kampala, has for years been associated with persistent flooding, pollution, and foul sanitation that has affected both businesses and residents. Monday’s cleanup targeted the thick layers of waste and sediment that have choked the channel, with the aim of preparing the ground for construction works expected to commence in the coming weeks. Piles of garbage were dredged out as teams cleared bottlenecks that have long disrupted water flow.

Kiggundu, who is also undertaking the redevelopment of Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium, described the exercise as a symbolic yet crucial beginning. “This is not just about cleaning; it’s about preparing the foundation for lasting development,” he said as he inspected the works. “We are committed to working with relevant authorities to ensure that this project benefits the people and the city.”

The planned redevelopment will go beyond drainage rehabilitation. According to initial proposals, the project will cover and modernize the channel, introduce service lanes to ease traffic around congested sections of the city, and install water filtration chambers to reduce pollution. There are also plans to integrate commercial infrastructure above the upgraded channel, a move Kiggundu argues will not only enhance the city’s image but also create new business opportunities.

Observers see the move as part of a wider urban renewal drive in Kampala, where rapid growth has often outpaced infrastructure upgrades. For many business owners around downtown, the project could not have come at a better time. “Every rainy season we suffer from flooding and lost customers because of the stench,” said a trader near Owino Market. “If this redevelopment succeeds, it will save us from years of suffering.”

Images from the cleanup showed bulldozers dredging through the sludge, heaps of garbage awaiting disposal, and work crews stationed at various points of the channel. The activity drew attention from curious onlookers who watched as the once stagnant and foul-smelling stretch was opened up for water to flow more freely.

While the project still faces questions on its scale, financing, and long-term sustainability, Monday’s operation offered a visible sign of momentum for an undertaking that has been delayed for years. If completed as envisioned, the redevelopment of Nakivubo Channel could mark a turning point in Kampala’s struggle to balance urban growth with livable infrastructure.