For decades, Kampala City has been known for its chaotic rainy seasons—overflowing roads, stranded commuters, submerged markets, and homes invaded by murky floodwaters. But that narrative may finally be shifting.
On April 3rd, 2025, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Council passed what is being hailed as the most reasonable, practical, and lasting solution to the city’s persistent flood crisis: empowering competent local investors to develop, upgrade, and cover open drainage channels under the strict guidance and supervision of KCCA.
Kampala, A City Choking on Its Waste
Kampala’s flooding woes are not merely the result of heavy rains—they are man-made disasters. For years, the city has relied on outdated open drainage systems meant to channel stormwater safely away. Instead, these channels have become dumping grounds for solid waste, blocked by plastics, food waste, and construction debris. When the rains come, the blocked channels back up and overflow, flooding roads, destroying property, and even costing lives.
The Council’s resolution recognises that Kampala cannot continue to operate like this—not if it wishes to grow into a truly modern city. It is a wake-up call grounded in the realities of urbanisation, population growth, and climate change.
Private Sector Power Under Public Supervision
The new approach is refreshingly pragmatic. Instead of depending solely on underfunded public coffers and dwindling foreign aid, KCCA will now work hand-in-hand with proven, competent local investors who have the will, capacity, and track record to get the job done. These developers will operate under strict KCCA oversight—ensuring that public interest, safety, and sustainability are never compromised.
The benefits of this approach are undeniable:
- Properly designed and covered drainage channels will eliminate solid waste dumping and drastically reduce the risk of blockage.
- Underground systems will improve city aesthetics, reduce health risks, and enhance property value.
- Public-private partnerships will relieve pressure on government budgets while accelerating progress.
- Investors like Ham Enterprises, who have already shown results in Nakivubo, offer a practical model of how collaboration—not conflict—leads to success.
Nakivubo: A Glimpse Into the Future
While the rest of Kampala was submerged during the March 2025 rains—areas like Kawempe, Clock Tower, Kamwokya, Zana, and Natete turned into rivers—one place stood out: Nakivubo. Thanks to a drainage upgrade executed by Ham Enterprises under the interim leadership of KCCA’s Acting ED Frank Nyakana Rusa, the area remained dry and functional.
That success story alone justifies the Council’s resolution. It is proof that the right partnerships—grounded in legality, professionalism, and competence—can yield tangible results for the city.
Lukwago’s Legacy of Sabotage
Yet not everyone welcomed this progress. As the Council moved toward solutions, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago resorted to his familiar script of obstruction and political sabotage. He falsely accused Dr. Hamis Kiggundu and Rusa of causing the very floods they had helped prevent—an accusation that was not only dismissed in court but slammed by the Council as “malicious, unfounded, and politically motivated.”
Since 2011, Lukwago’s tenure has been marked less by leadership and more by relentless opposition to nearly every major development in the city. He has made a career of antagonizing Executive Directors, fighting modernisation, and frustrating the very developers who seek to transform Kampala. His most recent outburst against Ham Enterprises and Rusa reveals a dangerous pattern—using his office not to build, but to block.
In contrast, the Council’s united stance sent a strong message: that Kampala’s future will not be built on hate, propaganda, and personal vendettas. It will be built on partnerships, professionalism, and people-centred progress.
A Vision Worth Backing
The resolution is not just a policy change—it’s a vision for a better Kampala. A city where
- Drainage is underground, clean, and efficient.
- Floods are rare and manageable.
- Investors are supported, not sabotaged.
- Leadership is defined by results, not rhetoric.
This is the Kampala that the Council—and forward-thinking Ugandans—are working towards.
Time for Government Backing
It’s now up to the central government and all national stakeholders to fully support this resolution. Delays, bureaucracy, and politicking have no place in this moment. Kampala needs action. Ugandans deserve results. And our local investors—who carry the vision and means to deliver—deserve respect and cooperation.
Conclusion: From Floods to the Future
KCCA’s April 3rd resolution is not just a step in the right direction—it’s a leap towards lasting transformation. If embraced and implemented with transparency, urgency, and unity, it could finally end Kampala’s flood nightmare and usher in a new era of clean, modern urban living.
The time for blame is over. The time for building has begun.
