By KT Reporter
Residents of Nabisalu Zone in Makindye Division, who operate along the Nabisalu channel, have protested their eviction by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
KCCA recently demolished the vendors’ makeshift stalls along the channel, leaving hundreds frustrated after their livelihoods were destroyed.
During an inspection tour by KCCA councilors, Nabisalu and Kanakulya zone residents told councilors that they face a major challenge of flooding from the main channel originating from Nakivubo. The channel overflows whenever it rains, causing water to enter their homes and businesses.
Christine Nakamya, a resident of Nabisalu, faulted KCCA for failing to desilt the main channel from Nakivubo, which she said consistently floods their homes.
Nakamya added that the smaller channel where vendors were working was not constructed by KCCA but by an organization after lobbying by local leaders. She emphasized that it is not the main cause of flooding in the area.
According to Nakamya, several residents have been earning their livelihoods from businesses along that channel and have always taken the initiative to maintain it.
Nyanzi Sula, the area chairman, said KCCA used excessive force during the eviction, leaving some vendors injured. Nyanzi also said that many of the vendors working along the channel are single mothers and widows trying to earn a living to support their families and educate their children.
He emphasized that the main issue lies with the major channel from Nakivubo connecting to Ggaba, which KCCA has failed to construct or maintain. He urged KCCA to focus on building and maintaining that channel to solve the flooding problem in Nabisalu.
Tonny Ssenkungu stated that KCCA did not carry out a proper survey to identify the real cause of flooding before evicting the vendors. He added that KCCA should have desilted the main channel to allow water to flow and avoid flooding, instead of destroying people’s businesses without a clear relocation plan.
Fauster Bitaano, the councilor representing the area, said the council plans to pass a resolution urging KCCA to construct channels in a way that allows residents to conduct business above them.
Zahara Luyirika, the Speaker of the KCCA Council, who led the team of councilors, condemned KCCA’s use of excessive force during the eviction.
Luyirika said that KCCA did not open the channel, which had been previously covered by vendors operating their businesses. She warned that leaving the channel open now poses a danger to the community, especially during the rainy season.
She also emphasized the need for vendor sensitization on how to maintain the channel and keep it unclogged, rather than resorting to eviction.
Daniel Nuwabine, the KCCA spokesperson, said that the exercise is intended to clear all drainage channels in the water catchment area of Kampala. He adds that this has helped to reduce flooding in most places in the city, and not only targeting one part of Kampala-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
