The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has ordered Ham Enterprises (U) Ltd to cease all illegal construction activities on the Jugula Drainage Channel, a vital waterway that feeds into the Nakivubo Drainage Channel.
This directive, issued on November 11, 2024, under Section 46 of the Physical Planning Act, 2010, also requires the company to restore the drainage channel within seven days.
Despite this order, construction has continued without the necessary permits, resulting in significant flooding at St. Balikuddembe Market (Owino). The market is a cornerstone of Kampala’s economic activity, providing livelihoods for thousands of traders and serving as a hub for poverty alleviation.
The flooding has caused severe inconvenience and financial losses to some vendors, sparking public outcry.
Ham Enterprises has claimed to have approved building plans from 2017; however, KCCA maintains that these approvals have expired, as outlined in Section 38 of the Building Control Act, 2013.
This means the company is not permitted to develop on a drainage channel.
KCCA has reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing urban planning and development control laws to safeguard public safety and promote sustainable development.