NAKIVUBO CHANNEL
DEVELOPMENT DREAM OR FLOODING DISASTER?
By Econews Digital Staff Writer
August 20, 2025 | Kampala, Uganda
For decades, the Nakivubo Channel has been the lifeline of Kampala’s stormwater management system. Stretching from the city’s high-density commercial core and draining into Lake Victoria, the channel was designed to protect Uganda’s capital from floods, waste accumulation, and disease outbreaks. In recent years, however, it has come to symbolize both Kampala’s urban challenges and the struggle for a cleaner city. Piles of plastic, raw effluent, and makeshift settlements have repeatedly clogged the waterway, overwhelming its capacity. Flooding around downtown areas like Kisenyi, Owino Market, and Jinja Road has become a common sight during heavy rains.
The Kampala Capital City Authority has long emphasized the need for a clean, safe, and resilient city. Several campaigns, from garbage collection drives to drainage desilting projects, have attempted to restore Nakivubo’s flow. Still, the battle against poor waste management and unregulated construction has slowed progress. City planners argue that Kampala cannot achieve sustainable urban growth without safeguarding critical drainage corridors like Nakivubo. The channel is not just concrete; it is part of the city’s ecological infrastructure, linking to wetlands and feeding directly into Lake Victoria, a vital water resource for millions.
The debate took a sharp turn earlier this month when businessman Hamis “Ham” Kiggundu received approval to cover, clean, and redevelop the Nakivubo Channel into commercial malls and buildings at his own cost. Supporters hail the move as a chance to modernize a neglected space, create jobs, and give Kampala’s skyline a new face. Critics, however, warn that such development risks undermining the channel’s drainage function, potentially worsening urban floods and exposing the city to climate risks. Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has been among the strongest voices of concern. He cautions that covering Nakivubo could amount to a land grab and undermine the city’s fight against flooding. Lukwago argues that without transparency, technical oversight, and environmental safeguards, the project risks trading long-term public safety for short-term commercial gain.
Environmentalists are framing the discussion around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Protecting Lake Victoria’s water quality relates directly to clean water and sanitation. Ensuring Kampala’s growth is climate-resilient connects to sustainable cities and communities. Strengthening the city’s ability to withstand flooding speaks to climate action, while safeguarding wetlands and biodiversity around the channel links to life on land. Experts stress that comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessments and community consultations are critical before construction begins.
Across Africa, cities face similar dilemmas, from Nairobi’s river regeneration to Lagos’ flood control struggles. Kampala’s Nakivubo moment reflects the same question: can African cities develop commercially while remaining ecologically safe? For Nakivubo, the answer lies in ensuring that private investment works hand in hand with public accountability. The future of Kampala’s clean city agenda depends on it.
The Nakivubo Channel redevelopment is more than a building project. It is a litmus test for Kampala’s urban future. Will the city choose short-term commercial growth at the expense of long-term resilience, or will it pioneer a model of green, sustainable urban transformation in Africa? As Mayor Erias Lukwago warns, this project cannot be about profit alone. It must safeguard Kampala’s people, environment, and future. The choice will define not just Nakivubo, but Kampala’s place in the story of sustainable African cities.
