Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has promised to work with traders affected by the recent city floods to restore their businesses and put in place long-term solutions to prevent similar disasters.
The commitment was made during a meeting held on Monday, following the October 31 floods that wreaked havoc on several arcades in downtown Kampala. Buildings like Freedom Center, Pentagon City Plaza, Capital Center, French Plaza, Nabukeera Plaza, Premier Center, Nana Center, Sekaziga, and Total Plaza were submerged, leaving traders counting heavy losses.
KCCA officials commended the traders for staying calm and assured them of government support. The Authority directed that each affected arcade should select two representatives to work with KCCA’s technical team to register all impacted traders. The registration will be coordinated by Sheilah Burungi, the Director of Gender, Production and Community Services.
“Each arcade will submit two representatives and a verified list of traders,” said Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago. “This will help us capture genuine cases and coordinate government assistance effectively.”
KCCA Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, apologised for not visiting the traders immediately after the floods but stressed that the Authority is taking firm action to prevent a recurrence.
“We are investigating whether the flooding was caused by ongoing drainage works by Ham Enterprises or other factors,” she said. “We will act on our findings and ensure such incidents do not happen again.”
Buzeki added that KCCA is prioritising long-term flood control measures, including improved drainage systems, stricter building compliance, and close collaboration with developers and traders.
“Our goal is to build a flood-resilient, vibrant city that is better prepared for the future,” she said.
Eng. Maurice Kerania, KCCA’s Deputy Director for Roads and Drainage, said six water pumps were deployed to clear the flooded buildings, restoring normalcy by the weekend.
“As KCCA, we share your pain and will keep strengthening the drainage network to prevent future flooding,” he noted.
The Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA), led by Mwanje Asuman, called for a temporary halt to Ham Enterprises’ renovation works pending inspection. Kampala RCC Lule Mawiya, who also attended the meeting, pledged continued government support to affected traders.
