Lawyers Sue Museveni, Ham Over Nakivubo Drainage Encroachment

Two concerned lawyers have dragged businessman Hamis Kiggundu, president Museveni, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to the High Court.

The petitioners, Kazinda Naafi and Oola Samuel, have filed their public interest case accusing the defendants of violating constitutional provisions on environmental protection while  arguing that Hamis  Kiggundu has illegally occupied and developed sections of Nakivubo drainage channel without an approved Environmental and Social Impact Assessment thus threatening severe ecological damage, flooding, and public health risks for  Kampala city residents.

The suit further faults President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who through a directive dated August 2, 2025,  approved Kiggundu’s developments on the drainage channel. 

The pair of lawyers contend that this executive order was unconstitutional, unlawful, and ignored statutory safeguards that require public consultation and environmental assessment before such projects proceed.

NEMA and KCCA are also blamed for neglecting their duties, with the petitioners stating that instead of halting the encroachment, NEMA requested information from KCCA, yet the city authority had already passed a resolution authorizing Kiggundu’s activities. 

The lawyers now want the court to issue a permanent injunction stopping further construction on the Channel,  cancel the presidential directive, and order NEMA to conduct a comprehensive environmental audit of the disputed developments. They are also seeking damages against Kiggundu and orders directing him to restore  the Nakivubo drainage channel to its original state.

The plaintiffs argue that if the encroachment continues, Kampala faces irreversible environmental destruction, loss of public land, and a dangerous precedent where private developers are allowed to seize environmentally protected water resources.

While attending the 8th Bendicto Kiwanuka memorial lecture at the Judiciary Hqs last Friday , the Speaker of Parliament Anita Among said the Nakivubo Channel giveaway to Ham Kiggundu had been approved by the president and advised any dissatisfied party to seek the court’s interpretation.