Clearing the Channels of Doubt: Why Ham Kiggundu’s Nakivubo Vision is an Act of National Development
In Kampala, few topics ignite debate like urban development and the redevelopment of the Nakivubo Water Channel by businessman Hamis Kiggundu has become a political and environmental flashpoint. The criticism has been sharp, accusations of encroachment, environmental disregard and worsening flooding. But beneath the noise of public outcry and political sparring lies a bolder more patriotic vision, a necessary transformation of a critical failing piece of Kampala’s infrastructure funded entirely by a Ugandan investor. We must look past the immediate, often sensationalized headlines and recognize the massive public good that this private investment promises for the future of our capital city. The Ugly Truth of the Old Nakivubo Channel Before this redevelopment, what was the reality of the Nakivubo Channel? It was not a pristine scenic waterway, it was an open festering wound running through the heart of the city. A Public Health Nightmare : The open channel served as an ille...