Kampala, Uganda — The redevelopment of the Nakivubo Channel, long regarded as Kampala’s most pressing urban drainage challenge, has received fresh momentum through a strong partnership between city businessman Dr. Hamis Kiggundu (Ham), the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), and guidance from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the African Nations Championship (CHAN) inspection teams.
The channel, which cuts through the heart of Kampala’s central business district, has for decades been a source of flooding, pollution and safety hazards.
Now, it is being transformed into a modern, environmentally friendly corridor that will not only safeguard the city from floods but also redefine the capital’s urban landscape ahead of Uganda’s hosting of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.
Officials from CAF, during recent inspection visits, commended the progress around the Nakivubo redevelopment project, noting that upgrading the channel to international standards is critical to Kampala’s preparedness to host Africa’s biggest football tournament.
Their recommendations have since guided the project’s implementation to ensure the facility meets both environmental and infrastructural benchmarks.
KCCA has also thrown its weight behind the redevelopment, providing technical oversight and aligning the works with the city’s broader drainage masterplan.
“The collaboration between public institutions and private investors such as Hamis Kiggundu is exactly what Kampala needs to address long-standing urban challenges. This is not only about AFCON; it is about leaving a permanent legacy of safety, beauty and functionality for city residents,” said a KCCA official.
Ham, who is financing the ambitious upgrade, said the project represents a commitment to both national pride and community development.
“Nakivubo Channel has been a source of floods, insecurity and loss of life for too long. This redevelopment is about giving Kampala a clean, safe and modern urban drainage system. It’s a responsibility we owe our people, and a statement that Uganda is ready for the future,” he said.
When complete, the redeveloped Nakivubo Channel will feature underground flood-control chambers, solid waste filtration systems, pedestrian walkways, and green public spaces.
It will no longer be a scar running through Kampala but rather a showcase of smart city design and an eco-friendly corridor supporting business and tourism.
The project has been hailed as a model of self-driven development, relying on local investment rather than foreign aid.
