In March 2020, Kiggundu was featured prominently in Ugandan media for his court battle against Diamond Trust Bank. He alleged that the bank defrauded him over $30 Million over the course of 10 years.[5][6]
In October 2020, Kiggundu won the case and the Ugandan High Court ordered Diamond Trust Bank to refund all the unlawfully withdrawn monies totalling to USh34.29billion and US$23.4million,[7][8] with an additional 8% interest for legal costs.[9] The court additionally ordered the bank to unconditionally release/discharge all mortgages allegedly created over all Kiggundu's properties and all corporate and personal guarantees issued by Kiggundu. The court also issued a permanent injunction to prevent DTB from enforcing the mortgages over Kiggundu's properties.[10] DTB Bank later appealed the decision in the High Court and were issued an injunction halting payment of the monies.[11]
In November 2023, this legal dispute was peacefully settled outside court. Ham and Nasim Devji, the group CEO of Diamond Trust Bank Group reached a mutual agreement in a private meeting to drop all court cases.[12][13][14]
Kiggundu present Nakivubo Stadium Re-development Proposal to President Museveni in 2015
Kiggundu received a presidential directive in 2015 to redevelop and upgrade Nakivubo Stadium under a public-private partnership with the Ugandan government.[15] Construction works began in 2017 following the demolition of the old structures.[16] The project expanded the stadium's seating capacity from 30,000 to 35,000 and introduced modern facilities including floodlights, seating, digital screens, and parking. The new upgraded stadium was officially commissioned by President Museveni in April 2024.[17][18]
Early life, education and Religion
Kiggundu was born on 10 February 1984 1984 in the KalunguMasaka District in the Central Region of Uganda. He is the son of Haruna Segawa, who is part of a family with extensive property investments in Kampala.[19]
He attended his elementary education in Masaka, joined Kabojja International School in Kampala District for his high school education and later graduated from Makerere University with a Bachelors of Laws.[20]
Kiggundu was born and raised in a Muslim family. He talks about Islam as "the highest achievement of a lifetime".[21]
Business career and interests.
Hamis started his business journey in 2005 as a garments trader. He used to support his father Hajji. Segawa in his textile shop from where he learnt basic business principles.[22] And during middle school holidays his father gave him capital to start his own venture.[23] As business burgeoned, he started buying and selling land and properties and In 2009 he incorporated Ham Enterprises (U) Ltd and advanced to constructing and owning commercial properties.[24] In 2010, Kiggundu started erection of Ham towers, his first commercial tower at the Makerere suburb of Kampala city. According to billionaires.Africa, having mastered the commercial real estate trifles with reference to lessons learnt from his first project, Kiggundu was able to move a bit faster and within 18 months, he had built his second property, Ham Shopping Mall. With combined rental income coming from both properties, he was able to easily secure more financing with the banks, for other projects given his reasonable collateral.[20][25][26]
By 2021, Hamis Kiggundu had diversified his investments into multiple sectors, including real estate, finance, Banking, I.T and social media platforms and large-scale industrialization, with the various ventures administered and managed through the Ham Group of Companies.[27][20]According to the Forbes report on Uganda by Penresa, he embarked on a US$156 million project in the central region where a pilot advanced Integrated Agro-Processing Industrial Plant (IAIP) was set up at Akright City to add value to Uganda's agro produce.[28][29]
Kiggundu built a replica of the White House in Akright City, Entebbe, which serves as the headquarters for Ham Integrated Agro Processing Industries.[30] He stated in a 2023 interview with Wode Maya that the project aimed to encourage local ambition and highlight opportunities within Africa.[31]
Ham Palm Villas
The Ham Palm Villas is a large-scale residential estate initiated in 2019 by businessman Hamis Kiggundu on the outskirts of Kampala, Uganda. The project was designed to deliver a modern housing environment within Uganda’s rapidly urbanizing landscape.[32][20][33]
The development comprises 1,125 residential units, including 500 detached homes and villas alongside 625 apartments, laid out to accommodate middle- and upper-income residents.[34][35] Located in Akright City within Kajjansi Town Council, the estate benefits from proximity to major transport corridors, including the Entebbe Expressway, providing access between Kampala and Entebbe International Airport.[36]
Kiggundu has stated that the project was influenced by the increasing number of Ugandans emigrating in search of improved living standards abroad, with the estate intended to demonstrate how high-quality housing can be developed locally.[37] The initiative has also been presented as part of a broader approach to raising residential standards, supporting infrastructure expansion, and encouraging sustainable urban growth around the capital.[38][39]
Hamz.
In 2021, Kiggundu introduced the Hamz brand, which encompasses ventures in fashion, sports, digital innovation, and community engagement in Uganda.[40][41][42] Its fashion line includes retail outlets offering items such as T-shirts, caps, and stationery.[42] In the sports sector, the brand oversees Hamz Sports Club, which promotes youth involvement in sport, education, and health, and incorporates Hamz Stadium, formerly Nakivubo Stadium before its renovation, as well as facilities in Kigo, Wakiso District.[43][44][45] The brand also operates Hamz Limited, a digital innovation venture providing services in e-commerce and online payments through platforms including Hamz App and Hamz Payamong others.[42][46][47]
Philanthropy
In 2017, Kiggundu, through the Kampala General Better Traders Association donated Shs.100 million (Ugx) to support the vendors displaced by the Nakivubo Park Yard market demolition. The funds aimed to help traders rebuild their businesses. He also offered a six-month rent-free grace period to vendors relocated to his Ham Shopping Ground, emphasizing his commitment to supporting small-scale traders, promoting wise investment, and fostering economic resilience within the community.[48][49]
In April 2020, Kiggundu donated food relief to Uganda's COVID-19 task force.[50] He also donated food supplies to over 100 Ugandan journalists through the Uganda Journalists Association,[51] but was also criticized for providing cash handouts to journalists.[52]
In July 2021, Kiggundu donated to the Uganda Government a total of USh 530 million to help in the purchase COVID-19 vaccine doses for Ugandans and additionally called upon other able Ugandans and corporate entities to join him in saving lives as a way of giving back to the Ugandan Community.[53][54][55]
In January 2024, Hamis contributed to urban environmental enhancement by donating 100,000 Royal palm trees to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).[56] To ensure successful planting, a team of his staff was deployed to assist KCCA in planting these trees along the streets of Kampala. This initiative was part of a broader greening campaign, underscoring Kiggundu's commitment to fostering a cleaner, greener, and more aesthetically pleasing cityscape.[57][58]
Awards and Recognition
In 2018 Kiggundu was given an award as an acknowledgement for his book, Success and Failure Based on Reason and Reality. It was nominated the best book of the year in the category of Business Motivation at an event held by the Book Forum of Uganda in Kampala.[59]
In 2023, Hamis Kiggundu was awarded the African Renaissance & Iconic Development Entrepreneur Award by the Pan-African Pyramid Global Awards for his significant contributions to Africa's economic development and his influential entrepreneurial efforts in Africa.[60]
In June 2024, Hamis received a Professional Doctorate in Global Leadership and Management from the European International University. This recognition honored his dedication, hard work, and significant contributions to social, economic, and corporate sectors, as well as his efforts in expanding his organization internationally.[62][63]
Personal life
Hamis resides in Kampala, Uganda, in a residence constructed in 2014 and reported to cover approximately 479,160 square feet.[64][65] The property, sometimes referred to as "Ham’s Residence," has been profiled in various media features and interviews.[64][66][67]Kiggundu has expressed a preference for a consistent; shades of black, white, and grey design, which is reflected in both his personal wardrobe and the architectural style of his residence and commercial buildings.[68]
In April 2024, Kiggundu publicly shared photographs of his family on social media, including images with his wives and their children, accompanied by a caption expressing gratitude to Allah for what he described as a blessing.[69][70]The post drew significant attention online, with responses ranging from expressions of congratulation to broader commentary on his personal life.[71]
Kiggundu has also positioned himself as an advocate for African prosperity, frequently emphasizing the importance of reason, cultural values, and mindset in achieving development. In his public statements and writings, he has argued that Africa’s progress depends on rethinking education systems, reducing dependence on foreign consumption, and fostering locally driven innovation and value addition.[72][73][74]
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