Ugandan MPs want tycoon Hamis Kiggundu to pay Shs20bn flood bill
KAMPALA — Ugandan MPs want businessman Hamis Kiggundu held financially responsible for losses suffered by traders following flooding around Kampala’s Nakivubo area, questioning why taxpayers should carry a Shs20 billion compensation bill.
The issue emerged as Parliament’s Physical Infrastructure Committee questioned Kampala Capital City Authority officials over flooding affecting traders at St Balikuddembe Market, widely known as Owino Market, and development around the Nakivubo drainage system.
MPs argued that if development over the drainage channel is found to have contributed to the flooding, responsibility for compensating affected traders should not simply fall on government.
The scrutiny comes amid questions over how construction around the Nakivubo Channel was approved. Parliament has previously demanded planning, engineering and enforcement records from KCCA after concerns were raised about approvals associated with development over the channel.
KCCA has said flooding in Kampala has several causes, including encroachment, blocked drainage infrastructure and unauthorised development.
Kiggundu has previously disputed claims linking his development to flooding, maintaining that flooding in the area predates the project and pointing to waste blocking drainage infrastructure as a major contributor.
The MPs’ demand does not establish that Kiggundu caused the flooding or is legally liable for the traders’ losses. That remains an important distinction as authorities examine responsibility.
But with Shs20 billion in public money proposed for compensation, lawmakers are demanding answers about who should ultimately carry the cost if failures by developers or authorities are found to have contributed to the damage.
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