Kampala city authorities have confirmed that President Yoweri Museveni has ordered an urgent investigation into last week’s devastating Nakivubo floods, which left four people dead and caused massive losses for traders.
Speaking through Kampala Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Haji Umaru Mawiya, the President conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and to traders whose merchandise was destroyed.
“Allow me to convey the sympathies of the President. The matter will be thoroughly investigated to determine the source of the floods, which I believe is a significant step forward,” Mawiya said.
Mawiya revealed that President Museveni had also directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to convene an urgent meeting on Saturday to address the crisis and come up with measures to prevent future disasters.
The floods left major shopping centers, including Pentagon City Plaza, Total, and Freedom Centre, submerged, disrupting business and livelihoods in downtown Kampala.
The impact was immediate and chaotic, as traders rushed to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) meeting hall by 10:00 a.m. on Monday to discuss the crisis. Some arrived in gumboots, with mud-stained shirts stiff from the floodwater.
The President’s intervention comes amid mounting calls from traders for government support and redress following the destructive rains, which have compounded an already tense business environment in the city.
Kampala Traders Associations (KACITA, KATA, and UNATA), accuse the developers of narrowing the channel, diverting natural flow, and operating without valid environmental or planning approvals from NEMA and KCCA.
Following last week’s deluge, traders filed a lawsuit at the High Court against Ham Enterprises, KCCA, and NEMA, demanding an injunction to halt construction and compensation for destroyed goods. Lawyer Kasule Mpologoma, representing the traders, described the flooding as “avoidable and unlawful.”