The Buganda Kingdom has urged the government to immediately compensate traders and families who lost property and loved ones in last week’s Kampala floods, which claimed four lives and destroyed several businesses.
Speaking on behalf of the Kingdom, Katikkiro Charles Peter Mayiga extended condolences to the affected families and encouraged them to persevere despite the tragedy.
“We condole with the families that lost loved ones and the traders whose property was washed away. We encourage you not to give up but to work hard and rebuild your lives,” Mayiga said.
Heavy rains that pounded parts of Kampala left dozens of traders stranded after water submerged shops and stalls. Mayiga called on the government to act swiftly to support victims through fair and transparent compensation.
“The government should move fast to support the victims so that they can resume their daily activities. If they are splashing money in political activities, what about the traders whose lives were stalled?” he asked.
The Katikkiro also warned agencies responsible for disbursing compensation to ensure that assistance reaches genuine victims, highlighting past cases of corruption in such processes.
“In some cases, we have seen corruption in compensation processes. Let the help reach those who truly deserve it,” he said.
Mayiga further urged city authorities to involve experts in urban development and infrastructure planning, cautioning that unregulated construction and poor drainage systems continue to endanger lives.
“When development is done without following proper procedures, we end up causing misery instead of progress,” he added.