Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has suspended investigations into the Nakivubo Channel redevelopment project that were being conducted by the Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities, and State Enterprises (COSASE). Instead, she has appointed a five-member parliamentary team to carry out a fact-finding mission on the same matter.

The directive was announced by COSASE Chairperson Medard Sseggona, who read details from a letter dated August 19, 2025. In the letter, Speaker Among instructed Dan Kimosho, Chairperson of the Physical Infrastructure Committee, to lead the newly constituted team. The other members include David Kabanda (Kasambya County), Peter Mugema (Iganga Municipality), Kibedi Nsegumira (Mityana North), and Gerald Ibanda Rwemulikya (Ntoroko County).

“In light of those developments, it is the view of this committee that as a committee of Parliament, we shall not proceed with a matter that is before another committee of Parliament. So, we are advising the Clerk (of COSASE) to ensure that matters related to this particular issue be sent to that committee. However, enquiries into matters that are related to, one, encroachment onto KCC airline as contained in the Auditor General’s report for the year ended December 2024, shall continue to be investigated,” Sseggona said.

The Speaker’s move drew criticism from Yusuf Nsibambi, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party whip in Parliament and MP for Mawokota South, who questioned the legality of the decision. Nsibambi argued that Speaker Among had not consulted with party whips before forming the team, thereby bypassing standard parliamentary procedure.

The development comes shortly after President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni expressed support for an ambitious proposal by entrepreneur Hamis Kiggundu aimed at revitalizing the Nakivubo Channel.

In a letter dated August 2, 2025, addressed to Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, President Museveni lauded Kiggundu’s plan as both “imaginative and simple,” praising its potential to resolve long-standing issues of waste dumping and urban flooding.

“Ham points out the fact that the channel is open, inviting people to throw in rubbish, including plastics and faeces,” Museveni wrote.
“His proposal is imaginative and simple. Allow him to cover the channel after cleaning and strengthening it at his own cost. What a godly proposal!”

The President also backed Kiggundu’s plan to recoup his investment by constructing commercial properties above the renovated channel.

“How will he recover his money? Simple. Allow him to build properties above it that will bring back the money. I approve of the plan. Help him to execute,” Museveni directed.

Copies of the President’s endorsement were shared with the Vice President and the Ministers of Kampala, Finance, Education and Sports, the Presidency, and the Attorney General—indicating a high level of government support for the project.

For decades, the Nakivubo Channel has been a focal point for environmental degradation, unsanitary waste disposal, and frequent urban flooding. Kiggundu’s proposal seeks to resolve these issues by enclosing and upgrading the channel, while also enhancing the cityscape through the addition of modern commercial and leisure facilities.

Through his company, Ham Enterprises, Kiggundu is also spearheading the redevelopment of the Nakivubo War Memorial Stadium into a modern, multi-purpose sports complex.

A long-time advocate for transforming Kampala into a world-class commercial capital, Kiggundu continues to promote private sector-led innovation and infrastructure development. His Nakivubo Channel project is expected to align with the government’s broader urban modernization agenda.

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