KCCA leaders found big problems with city businessman Hamis Kiggundu. They say he messed with city officials who run Kampala. The Lord Mayor's team told the City Council that Ham built stuff where water needs to flow. This caused major flooding when rain hit hard. About seven people died after the recent heavy rain flooded Kampala.
Johnmary Ssebuwufu explained to the Council how rich people build on drainage paths. He pointed at Ham Kiggundu as the main culprit. These illegal buildings block water paths. Rich developers have also converted wetlands into homes and stores, which prevents these areas from soaking up extra water when it rains.
Ssebuwufu said Ham and other wealthy folks tricked officials into grabbing land where water should flow. He mentioned that rich people claimed almost all of the Nakivubo drainage. They turned the Lugogo wetland into concrete buildings. The golf course might disappear soon. Every inch from Portbell through Gaba to Kitubulu Entebbe became private property, with business buildings popping up everywhere.
What shocked many was that NEMA kicked out poor people but left rich folks like Ham alone. These wealthy builders caused the horrible floods in Kampala. Last November, the team heard that Ham Enterprises had built illegally on the Jugula Drainage Channel, an important waterway that feeds into Nakivubo. The Catholic Church complained loudly because KCCA had approved direct access to St. Balikuddembe and St. Anthanasius Catholic Shrine.
Ham blocked church access with his buildings. This caused huge problems since the church planned to host international visitors on Martyrs' Day, June 3, 2025. These visitors included important people from Tanzania. KCCA sent Ham a warning notice on November 11, 2024. They told him to stop building right away. He needed to show survey reports and approved plans within seven days.
The report stated that KCCA might prosecute Ham and tear down his unauthorized structure if he failed to comply. On November 14, building inspectors from Kampala Central Division raised concerns about these structures. This made the Building Committee visit the site the next day. But things turned nasty fast. Ham's security guards harassed, attacked, and insulted committee members. They blocked officials from checking the site.
Ham ignored the first notice and claimed that KCCA had approved his plans earlier. The Director of Physical Planning sent another notice on November 14. Heavy rain on November 17 flooded many areas, including St. Balikuddembe Market and Nakivubo Settlement Primary School. People lost property worth millions. This disaster highlighted how Ham's construction affected drainage. The church, traders, local leaders, and community members protested against his project.
KCCA leaders asked for a report about Ham's illegal buildings on the Jugula channel. On January 23, 2025, Caleb Mugisha from Legal Affairs said they filed criminal charges against Ham Kiggundu. These included building without permission, having no valid permit, and ignoring official notices. But something strange happened. On December 17, 2024, Acting Executive Director Frank Rusa told legal staff to drop the case against Ham. They withdrew all charges by January 14.
The Lord Mayor's team wants Ham's structures demolished immediately. They asked that criminal charges restart and Ham face arrest. They told planning committees to reject any more Ham projects on drainage channels or wetlands. They recommended punishment for Frank Rusa and other officials who helped with illegal building. The report asks government inspectors to check how rich people got land titles for drainage areas and wetlands.
Johnmary Ssebuwufu explained to the Council how rich people build on drainage paths. He pointed at Ham Kiggundu as the main culprit. These illegal buildings block water paths. Rich developers have also converted wetlands into homes and stores, which prevents these areas from soaking up extra water when it rains.
Ssebuwufu said Ham and other wealthy folks tricked officials into grabbing land where water should flow. He mentioned that rich people claimed almost all of the Nakivubo drainage. They turned the Lugogo wetland into concrete buildings. The golf course might disappear soon. Every inch from Portbell through Gaba to Kitubulu Entebbe became private property, with business buildings popping up everywhere.
What shocked many was that NEMA kicked out poor people but left rich folks like Ham alone. These wealthy builders caused the horrible floods in Kampala. Last November, the team heard that Ham Enterprises had built illegally on the Jugula Drainage Channel, an important waterway that feeds into Nakivubo. The Catholic Church complained loudly because KCCA had approved direct access to St. Balikuddembe and St. Anthanasius Catholic Shrine.
Ham blocked church access with his buildings. This caused huge problems since the church planned to host international visitors on Martyrs' Day, June 3, 2025. These visitors included important people from Tanzania. KCCA sent Ham a warning notice on November 11, 2024. They told him to stop building right away. He needed to show survey reports and approved plans within seven days.
The report stated that KCCA might prosecute Ham and tear down his unauthorized structure if he failed to comply. On November 14, building inspectors from Kampala Central Division raised concerns about these structures. This made the Building Committee visit the site the next day. But things turned nasty fast. Ham's security guards harassed, attacked, and insulted committee members. They blocked officials from checking the site.
Ham ignored the first notice and claimed that KCCA had approved his plans earlier. The Director of Physical Planning sent another notice on November 14. Heavy rain on November 17 flooded many areas, including St. Balikuddembe Market and Nakivubo Settlement Primary School. People lost property worth millions. This disaster highlighted how Ham's construction affected drainage. The church, traders, local leaders, and community members protested against his project.
KCCA leaders asked for a report about Ham's illegal buildings on the Jugula channel. On January 23, 2025, Caleb Mugisha from Legal Affairs said they filed criminal charges against Ham Kiggundu. These included building without permission, having no valid permit, and ignoring official notices. But something strange happened. On December 17, 2024, Acting Executive Director Frank Rusa told legal staff to drop the case against Ham. They withdrew all charges by January 14.
The Lord Mayor's team wants Ham's structures demolished immediately. They asked that criminal charges restart and Ham face arrest. They told planning committees to reject any more Ham projects on drainage channels or wetlands. They recommended punishment for Frank Rusa and other officials who helped with illegal building. The report asks government inspectors to check how rich people got land titles for drainage areas and wetlands.
