Traders who lost merchandise in Friday’s floods that hit downtown Kampala have met officials from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), demanding urgent support and compensation for their losses.
The meeting, held at City Hall, was attended by KCCA Executive Director Sharifa Buzeki, Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, and Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Lule Mawuya, among other officials.
It came as many traders continued to count their losses, blaming the floods on construction works along the Nakivubo Channel.
Several traders narrated their experiences, saying water remained in some of their shops days after the flood, leaving goods destroyed.
They accused KCCA of abandoning them in their time of need and failing to provide emergency assistance.
The traders called for immediate compensation, suspension of rent and loan obligations to allow recovery, and a temporary halt to ongoing drainage construction, which they said had obstructed water flow and worsened the flooding.
Representatives from Owino Market and Nakawa made similar appeals, insisting that poor drainage planning around the Nakivubo redevelopment had led to widespread damage.
In response, KCCA Executive Director Buzeki said an assessment committee would be set up to investigate the matter and verify those eligible for compensation.
RCC Mawuya assured traders that government would take steps to address the crisis and prevent future incidents.
Lord Mayor Lukwago, who convened the meeting, blamed the situation on negligence by businessman Hamis Kiggundu, whose Nakivubo Channel redevelopment project he said failed to properly handle drainage and waste management.
Lukwago pledged to present the traders’ demands before the KCCA Council, which was expected to take a formal position later in the day.
Sources indicated that Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has been instructed by President Yoweri Museveni to meet the affected traders to discuss possible government intervention.