Court Set to Hear Nakivubo Drainage Channel Case against Museveni, NEMA, KCCA, Hamis

The High Court Civil Division has set 19th November, 2025 as the date to begin hearing a public interest case filed against President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the Attorney General, businessman Hamis Kiggundu, and several government agencies over the controversial development works on the Nakivubo Drainage Channel.

A notice issued by the Court’s Deputy Registrar, Simon Kintu Zirintusa, confirms that the hearing will commence on November 19th, 2025.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed on September 22nd, 2025, by two advocates, Kazinda Naari and Oola Samuel of F. Aogon and Company Advocates.

The two lawyers are challenging the President’s alleged approval of Kiggundu’s project without an environmental and social impact assessment.

In their petition, the lawyers argue that allowing development on the Nakivubo drainage channel without the required assessment poses serious risks, including irreversible ecological damage, severe flooding, soil erosion, and the spread of waterborne diseases.

They further warn of significant aesthetic and environmental consequences for Kampala City.

KCCA is accused of giving away the drainage channel to Kiggundu without seeking mandatory clearance from NEMA, an action the petitioners say violates constitutional guarantees on environmental protection.

The President, Prime Minister, and Minister of Finance have been sued through the Attorney General.

The petitioners want the High Court to halt Kiggundu’s ongoing works, cancel the President’s directives permitting the development, and compel NEMA to conduct a comprehensive environmental audit on activities taking place along the Nakivubo channel.