KAMPALA, Uganda — Toyota Kaguta, brother of President Yoweri Museveni, is urging the government to demolish Forest Mall, citing its contribution to Kampala’s persistent flooding.
Kaguta accused the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) of issuing licenses for buildings in wetlands, blocking natural drainage channels and exacerbating flooding.
“It is not true that the NRM government is responsible for the floods in Kampala. The real culprits are KCCA, which approves building plans in wetlands, and NEMA, which issues licenses for construction where water is supposed to pass,” Kaguta stated.
He specifically singled out Forest Mall as an example of large-scale construction encroaching on drainage channels.
“When you look at buildings like Forest Mall, you feel ashamed. It stands as proof that big people are allowed to block water channels while the poor are victimized,” Kaguta said.
Kaguta also criticized NEMA for selective law enforcement, alleging that the agency demolishes properties belonging to poor people while sparing structures owned by the wealthy.
“NEMA demolishes the properties of poor people and leaves out the so-called big people who are the real problem,” Kaguta added.
He urged the government to take immediate action and demolish all buildings illegally constructed on drainage pathways, starting with Forest Mall. If authorities fail to act, Kaguta encouraged Ugandans to take matters into their own hands.
“I appeal to Ugandans to spearhead the demolition of these buildings if the responsible government entities fail to act. I don’t like things that make the government look bad in the eyes of the people,” Kaguta emphasized.
Kaguta’s remarks have sparked debate on the role of government agencies in city planning and whether authorities will heed his call to address Kampala’s flooding crisis.
