A total of 737 traders affected by floods in Kampala last November have been cleared to receive compassionate support from President Yoweri Museveni, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has announced.
Government earmarked Shs20 billion to compensate traders whose businesses were damaged by the November 2025 floods.
Nabbanja made the announcement while chairing an inter-ministerial committee meeting convened to expedite the support process for the affected traders.
“A total of 737 traders who were affected by floods in Kampala have been cleared to start receiving the compassionate support from President Yoweri Museveni,” Nabbanja said.
She explained that the delay in releasing funds was caused by conflicting lists of beneficiaries submitted by different stakeholders after government pledged support.
“The delay in releasing the money was caused by differing lists of beneficiaries submitted by various stakeholders when the government announced that it would support the affected traders,” she said.
According to Nabbanja, the Federation of Uganda Traders’ Associations (FUTA) submitted over 2,000 names, which had to be harmonized with lists from KCCA, URA, and arcade landlords before funds could be disbursed.
“FUTA submitted over 2,000 traders, but these had to be harmonized with the lists from KCCA, URA, and landlords so that government can transfer the money to the rightful beneficiaries,” she said.
FUTA Chairman John Kabanda asked the Prime Minister to include other traders from arcades that were not assessed by the verification team.
“We ask the Prime Minister to include other traders from arcades that were not assessed by the team on the ground,” Kabanda said.
In response, Nabbanja assured traders that verification would continue after the first batch is paid.
“After these traders are cleared, the team will return to the ground to establish whether others were left out. There should be no further delays in delivering the support as promised by the President,” she said.
Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Eng. Hillary Onek, urged trader leaders to allow government to proceed with payment for those already verified.
“Traders’ leaders should allow government to clear those who have been verified immediately,” Onek said.
Minister for Kampala Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, also appealed to traders to cooperate to avoid the funds being returned to the Treasury.
“I appeal to traders to allow government to complete the process quickly to avoid returning the money to the Treasury,” she said.
Davis Mwenyi, Commissioner for Disasters in the Office of the Prime Minister, emphasized that only the verified list should be used.
“The verified list should be followed,” Mwenyi said.
Ham Kiggundu, representing landlords, thanked government for the support and said measures put in place had helped control flooding.
“We thank government for the support. After the measures put in place, floods have been controlled,” Kiggundu said.
The lists of intended beneficiaries will be displayed at various arcades for two days starting tomorrow for traders to confirm the rightful recipients.
The meeting was attended by State Minister for Trade Gen. Wilson Mbadi, Deputy Head of Public Service Jane Mwesiga, KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, technical teams from various ministries and agencies, and traders’ representatives.
