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KAMPALA – President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has endorsed a redevelopment proposal by city businessman Dr. Hamis Kiggundu to cover the Nakivubo channel, describing the initiative as both “imaginative and simple.”

In a letter dated August 2, 2025, to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, the President approved Kiggundu’s plan, which seeks to address the garbage and flooding challenges caused by the open drainage channel that cuts through Kampala’s central business district. Museveni observed that the exposed waterway had become a dumping ground for waste, creating serious health and sanitation risks while worsening floods in the city.

Calling the plan a “godly proposal,” the President commended Kiggundu for offering a lasting solution that combines environmental management with urban development. “By covering the channel, he will solve the problem of rubbish being thrown into it and create new infrastructure that enhances the image of our capital city,” President Museveni wrote.

The project will be implemented through a public-private partnership. Under the arrangement, Kiggundu will finance the covering of the channel using modern engineering designs while being allowed to build commercial infrastructure above it to recover his investment. Museveni instructed the relevant ministries and agencies to extend full support to the businessman to ensure smooth implementation.

The letter was copied to Vice President Jessica Alupo, First Lady and Education Minister Janet Kataaha Museveni, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Minister for Kampala Hajjati Minsa Kabanda, Minister for the Presidency Milly Babalanda, Attorney General Kiryowa Kiwanuka, and Dr. Kiggundu himself.

Kiggundu—well known for spearheading major developments such as the ongoing Nakivubo Stadium upgrade and Ham Shopping Mall—argued in his July 25 proposal that leaving the channel uncovered has for decades encouraged indiscriminate waste disposal, frequent blockages, and persistent flooding in downtown Kampala.

“By covering it, we not only eliminate the garbage menace but also create additional usable space for Kampala’s congested business community,” he said.

The President’s endorsement is expected to spark broader discussions about urban renewal and the role of private investors in city infrastructure. While the proposal has been welcomed as innovative, it is likely to attract scrutiny from urban planners, environmentalists, and civil society groups over land use, public interest safeguards, and the risk of over-commercialization of public spaces.

Still, Museveni emphasized that the project must move forward without bureaucratic delays, directing ministries to align technical, financial, and legal frameworks to protect both the public interest and investor confidence.

If realized, the Nakivubo channel project could become a landmark in Kampala’s urban transformation—setting a precedent for future public-private collaborations in infrastructure development.

With the President’s blessing, Dr. Hamis Kiggundu is now positioned to deliver what could be one of the most transformative urban projects in Uganda’s capital.