KAMPALA – Floodwaters from heavy rains disrupted business in Kampala’s busiest commercial hubs, paralyzed movement on major roads, and left shop owners facing familiar losses once again.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The heavy downpour that swept through Kampala on Thursday afternoon turned parts of the city into a scene of distress, as floodwaters surged into Qualicel Bus Terminal Shopping Centre, Mutaasa Kafeero Plaza, and Ham Shopping Centre.
At Qualicel, traders were seen ankle-deep in murky water, desperately scooping it out and salvaging what they could from soaked merchandise.
The chaos was not limited to the terminals, as several roads in the city centre were rendered impassable, causing long traffic jams and forcing pedestrians to wade through knee-high water.
KCCA spokesperson Daniel Nuwabiine acknowledged the flooding but noted that water levels had receded relatively quickly in most areas once drainage systems normalized.
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) spokesperson added that the teams rose to the occasion, clearing blocked channels and monitoring the situation for a swift response.
“Following the heavy downpour experienced earlier today in the city, KCCA noted that water levels in most affected areas dispersed within a short time as drainage systems normalized,” Nuwabiine said.
The authority further warned the public about AI-generated and misleading images falsely portraying the flooding, urging citizens to verify information through official platforms and avoid spreading unverified content.
KCCA was quick to point a finger at poor waste management practices by landlords and business owners, saying indiscriminate littering and dumping of garbage directly into drainage channels is a major cause of persistent flooding.
“We call upon all landlords and business owners to exercise responsible waste management measures and stop indiscriminate littering and dumping of waste which ends up in drainage channels, significantly contributing to blockage and flooding during such heavy rains,” Nuwabiine added.
Meanwhile, motorists and pedestrians were urged to exercise caution in flood-prone areas during rainfall, and KCCA reaffirmed its commitment to improving stormwater management.
About the Author
