By Naome Namusoke & Ronald Kabuubi/ KMA updates
Kampala, Uganda —Thousands of city traders are demanding government compensation after last week’s torrential rains flooded major arcades in downtown Kampala, destroying goods worth millions of shillings. The downpour, which lasted for over four hours on Thursday, left business owners counting heavy losses as water submerged entire shopping complexes including French Plaza among others.
One of the traders explains the hard times they are going through after their loss.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
One of the traders explains the hard times they are going through after their loss.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago with the KCCA ED Hajjat Buzeki and other leaders listen attentively to the traders during the meeting.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Kampala traders listen meeting with Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago with the KCCA ED Hajjat Buzeki and other leaders during the meeting.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
One of the Kampala traders explains the situation at their arcades before Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, KCCA ED Hajjat Buzeki and other leaders during the meeting.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
The floods, described by authorities as one of the most severe in recent years, swept through basements and ground-floor shops, damaging clothing, electronics, and other merchandise. Traders say the incident has crippled business operations, with many unable to service loans or restock.
In a crisis meeting held on Monday, Kampala city leaders including the Resident City Commissioner (RCC), Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, KCCA Executive Director Sharifa Buzeki, and the KCCA City Engineer engaged with thousands of affected traders to discuss the extent of the damage and possible solutions.
According to Sharifa Buzeki, the KCCA Executive Director, the flooding was unprecedented.
“This has never happened before at such a scale,” she said. “As the authority, we have deployed engineers to assess the status of the city’s drainage infrastructure. We have also received a report from KACITA (Kampala City Traders Association) which is under review ahead of our meeting with the Prime Minister tomorrow.”
Buzeki added that the technical team’s assessment will inform a long-term drainage management plan to prevent similar disasters in the future.
Anatalia Ozie is seen narrating what happened during the incident.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Among the affected traders is Anatalia Ozie, a supplier of undergarments who employs over 36 Ugandans. She described the aftermath as “a total loss.”
“We don’t even know where to start from. All our stock was destroyed, and yet banks are still demanding loan repayments. We need financial relief and a grace period,” she said.
Several traders have also appealed to arcade landlords to waive rent for at least a month, citing the total shutdown of their businesses following the floods.
Kampala RCC confirmed that President Yoweri Museveni has directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to meet with the affected traders on Tuesday to discuss compensation and the root causes of the flooding.
Kampala RCC addressing traders during the meeting.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
“The President asked the Prime Minister to engage directly with the traders to find a sustainable solution. Compensation is one of the key issues being considered,” the RCC stated.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago explains how the Compesation will be handled.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago urged traders to coordinate through their associations and submit verified lists of those affected to facilitate the compensation process.
“Let’s work together as one community. Provide accurate data of those whose goods were destroyed so that no one is left behind in this process,” Lukwago emphasized.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago explains how the Compesation will be handled.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Kampala’s frequent flooding has been linked to poor urban planning, inadequate drainage systems, and unregulated construction. The latest disaster has renewed calls for urgent investment in urban infrastructure and stricter enforcement of environmental laws.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago talks to Daniel Nuwebine during the meeting.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago explains how the Compesation will be handled.Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
As KCCA and the Office of the Prime Minister prepare for further consultations, traders remain hopeful that the government’s response will go beyond short-term relief addressing the deeper urban management challenges that continue to threaten business sustainability in Uganda’s capital.
Kampala traders are seen leaving after the heated meeting. Photo by Ronald Kabuubi/KMA Updates.
