Police have strongly denied allegations that they provided protection to city businessman Hamis Kiggundu, also known as Ham, to disrupt the operations of other businesses in the wake of flooding caused by heavy rains near the ongoing Nakivubo Channel construction project.

The controversy follows protests by traders on Friday, who reported significant damage to their businesses after the flooding.

Several arcades in the area were submerged, with basement shops filling up with muddy water, damaging merchandise and prompting electricity shutdowns for safety reasons.

Some traders alleged that they were assaulted by security officers during the chaotic scenes, while others claimed losses worth billions of shillings.

Many pointed to the drainage works around the Nakivubo Channel as the cause of the flooding.

In response to the claims, Police spokesperson ACP Kituuma Rusoke dismissed the accusations, reiterating that no businessman, including Kiggundu, had been granted police protection to interfere with other people’s operations.

He urged any traders who were assaulted to file formal complaints with the police, offering details to help identify and take action against the officers involved.

Rusoke also advised traders who suffered property damage due to the floods to pursue compensation through civil legal avenues.

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