OPINION : Lord Mayor Lukwago, was Nakivubo/St Balikudembe affected by the March 2025 flooding?

On 27th March 2025, while addressing the media from his chambers at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, alleged that the recent flooding in Kampala which tragically claimed seven lives was caused by prominent businessman and investor, Dr Hamis Kiggundu.

Lukwago recounted his frustration while watching a television broadcast in which Dr Kiggundu and former KCCA Acting Executive Director, Mr Frank Rusa, discussed strategies to curb flooding in the city, particularly in the central business district.

In what appeared to be a politically charged statement lacking substantive evidence, the Lord Mayor claimed that the flooding was the result of upgrades to the Nakivubo–Jugula drainage channel, undertaken by Dr Kiggundu. Yet, during this media briefing, he failed to clarify whether Nakivubo/St Balikudembe was actually affected by the recent heavy rains, an omission that weakened the credibility of his claims.

In response to the Lord Mayor’s politically motivated remarks, the former Acting KCCA Executive Director clarified that previous flooding in St Balikudembe was largely due to silting.

He further explained that Ham Enterprises had committed to desilting the area, a task they completed under the supervision of KCCA. This intervention effectively mitigated the flooding crisis in St Balikudembe.

In fact, despite the heavy rains that fell for over eight hours leading to fatalities, transport disruption, and financial losses, Nakivubo/St Balikudembe remained unaffected. Business operations continued without interruption, and there was no reported flooding in the area.

These positive developments in flood control around Nakivubo/St Balikudembe can be attributed to Dr Kiggundu’s strict adherence to regulations set by KCCA’s Physical Planning and Building Committee.

 Thanks to these efforts, businesses and communities in the vicinity experienced no flood-related setbacks in March 2025. The area now enjoys improved water flow and a cleaner, healthier environment.

It is becoming increasingly clear that the Lord Mayor may be deflecting blame for his own shortcomings by politicising flood management in Kampala. This kind of rhetoric is outdated. The public deserves better.

It is illogical to accuse Dr Kiggundu of causing floods in areas such as Lugogo, Kawempe, Bwaise, Nakawa, Kyambogo, Banda, Jinja Road, Mukwano and Clock Tower while Nakivubo/St Balikudembe, where his efforts are focused, remains flood-free.

The suggestion that Dr Kiggundu is somehow responsible for the indiscriminate littering, plastic waste, and kaveera pollution choking Kampala’s drainage system is not only far-fetched but also dismissive of the real environmental issues facing the city. These challenges require collective responsibility, not scapegoating.

Rather than shifting blame, it would be more constructive for His Worship Lukwago to take responsibility and focus on delivering real solutions. After over two decades in leadership, the people of Kampala expect more than complaints and finger-pointing. Leadership should be about action, not lamentation.

In the interest of Kampala’s future, I urge the Lord Mayor to focus on strengthening his People’s Freedom Front beyond Katonga Road, rather than engaging in baseless political attacks. With the 2026 general elections approaching, the electorate is increasingly demanding accountability, not his games and attention seeking tactics.

KCCA’s recent decision to pursue public-private partnerships with credible local investors in drainage management is a commendable step in the right direction. It is long overdue. Kampala urgently needs a modern, efficient drainage system, free from litter, blockages, and political distraction.

David Serumaga

Concerned Citizen