KCCA Demolishes Two Kampala Buildings Over Planning Violations

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has demolished two buildings under construction in Nakasero and Kololo over alleged violations of building regulations, including construction without approved building plans and development on land reserved for roads.

The first demolition began around midday on Thursday along Nakasero Road, near the Kampala Resident District Commissioner's office. The operation was conducted by KCCA's enforcement team, backed by police, on a building reportedly being constructed within a road reserve.

During the operation, police arrested several people found at the site and confiscated construction equipment, including a crane, concrete mixers and a generator. The building was alleged to belong to businessman Hamis Kiggundu, although the ownership claim had not been independently verified.

The demolition was briefly disrupted when a group of men locally referred to as kifeesi reportedly arrived from downtown Kampala and attempted to interfere with the enforcement operation. Police and KCCA officials contained the situation and forced the group to withdraw.

KCCA later extended the enforcement operation to Kololo Baskerville Street, where another building under construction was demolished. The second structure was reportedly linked to Chinese nationals, a claim that also had not been independently verified.

A KCCA official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the affected developments were targeted because they had allegedly been undertaken without the necessary building plans and approvals from the authority. KCCA spokesperson Daniel Nuwabine said the authority was still gathering information about the operation and would issue a formal statement once details were established. The demolitions are likely to renew debate over compliance with building regulations in Kampala, particularly construction on road reserves and on land designated for public infrastructure.