By Our Reporter
For decades, Kampala has endured relentless flooding—transforming roads into rivers, homes into islands, and businesses into ruins every rainy season. But a landmark resolution passed by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Council on April 3, 2025, could finally bring an end to this crisis. By empowering capable local investors to develop, cover, and upgrade the city’s open drainage channels under KCCA’s strict supervision, the council has proposed a bold and lasting solution to Kampala’s chronic flooding woes.
Amid this historic decision, the council also delivered a sharp rebuke to Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, whose baseless attacks on city developer Dr. Hajji Hamis Kiggundu and former Acting Executive Director Frank Nyakana Rusa may have permanently damaged his political standing. Could this be the long-awaited turning point for Kampala?
Kampala’s Flooding Crisis: A City Drowning in Neglect
Kampala, Uganda’s vibrant capital, is a city of contrasts. Since the establishment of KCCA by Parliament in 2011, the city has been managed by an Executive Director and overseen ceremonially by the Lord Mayor. Despite KCCA’s efforts to balance development with infrastructural needs, one challenge has persisted for over four decades: flooding.
The root cause? Poorly managed open drainage channels, which have become dumping grounds for solid waste. These clogged systems trigger destructive floods during heavy rains. In March 2025, storms submerged areas like Clock Tower, Kawempe, Natete, Kamwokya, and the Northern Bypass, leaving a trail of damage. Years of neglect, ineffective waste management, and outdated infrastructure have left Kampala dangerously vulnerable.
A Revolutionary Resolution: Closing the Channels, Opening the Future
The resolution passed on April 3, 2025, marks a pivotal shift. KCCA has approved a plan allowing competent local investors to modernize Kampala’s drainage systems by developing, covering, and upgrading them—under tight KCCA oversight. Here’s why this resolution is transformative:
● Stopping Solid Waste Dumping at the Source
Open drains invite indiscriminate dumping. By covering these channels and transitioning to underground systems, waste blockages can be prevented, and stormwater will flow unobstructed—even during the heaviest downpours.
● A Vision for a Modern Kampala
The plan envisions a Kampala with covered, modern underground drainage systems—free from blockages and ready to handle urbanization and climate change. This mirrors best practices in developed cities and will position Kampala as a modern, resilient capital.
● Proven Success: Nakivubo as a Model
In November 2024, Dr. Hamis Kiggundu cleared and revitalized the Jugula channel near Nakivubo as part of the Nakivubo Stadium’s AFCON 2027 bid. Under the supervision of Frank Nyakana Rusa, this project succeeded where others failed: while much of Kampala flooded in March 2025, Nakivubo remained dry. Locals praised the unprecedented effectiveness, proving that capable investors under KCCA’s watch can deliver.
● A Cleaner, Healthier City
Beyond flood prevention, covered drainage will reduce health risks and improve city aesthetics. Open channels breed pests and spread disease. Underground systems will enhance cleanliness, safety, and overall urban appeal.
● Sustainable, Local-Funded Infrastructure
With dwindling central government support and limited foreign aid, KCCA’s partnership with local investors provides a sustainable funding model. This public-private collaboration allows for timely, high-quality infrastructure development without dependence on external resources.
Why the Government Must Act Now
This resolution is not merely innovative—it is essential. Kampala’s flooding crisis has stifled growth, risked lives, and eroded public trust for far too long. The government must act swiftly to implement the KCCA Council’s plan, demonstrating its commitment to real, locally-driven solutions. Nakivubo’s success shows what’s possible when competent leadership meets practical investment.
Erias Lukwago’s Fall: A Political Career in Jeopardy
While the council’s resolution lights the way forward, it also casts a harsh spotlight on Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago’s faltering leadership. Since 2011, his role has been largely ceremonial, yet he has frequently clashed with Executive Directors and developers, often impeding progress.
At the April 3 meeting, Lukwago’s unfounded accusations—that Dr. Kiggundu’s drainage work caused recent floods—were decisively debunked. Council members presented evidence that Kiggundu’s company, Ham Enterprises (U) Ltd., received KCCA approval on December 9, 2024. The charges Lukwago referenced had already been dismissed by the KCCA magistrate court in January 2025.
The council condemned Lukwago’s actions as unprofessional, accusing him of using hate speech and spreading falsehoods to obstruct progress. His attacks on Rusa—who was formally recognized for exemplary service—only further alienated him. As Kampala turns the page toward innovation and unity, Lukwago risks being remembered not for service, but for obstruction and failed leadership.
A New Dawn for Kampala
The KCCA Council’s resolution represents more than just policy—it symbolizes hope. By covering and modernizing drainage channels, Kampala can finally overcome the decades-long flood nightmare. The success of Nakivubo is proof that this approach works. It’s time to replicate that success citywide.
As Kampala embraces a new era of resilience and modernization, the contrast between forward-thinking leadership and outdated political grandstanding has never been starker. While figures like Kiggundu and Rusa lead the city toward progress, Lukwago’s decline is a stark reminder that leadership must serve the people—not personal vendettas.
