Six killed, hundreds stranded as floods ravage Kampala

At least six people, including two minors, have died in floods following heavy rainfall in Kampala. The downpour, which began in the early hours of Wednesday, left hundreds of travellers stranded as roads became impassable due to flooding.

The torrential rain, which lasted for hours, submerged several roads leading to the city center. Some sections of the Kampala-Jinja highway at Kyambogo and Kinawataka (Katogo), as well as parts of the Northern Bypass, were particularly affected, with vehicles partially or fully submerged.

Uganda Red Cross spokesperson Irene Nakasita confirmed that two minors were found dead in their flooded home. The victims have been identified as 3-year-old Elisa Otim Kisa and 11-month-old Chon Ochaka.

Additionally, a 35-year-old man was also found dead in the same area of Mulimira Zone along the Northern Bypass.

“Their mother, Rose Mary Lenunu left them in a room at night, and by the time the rain started, she hadn’t returned home. Our response team was called to support the community. Many houses are flooded and household property destroyed,” Nakasita said.

Kampala Metropolitan deputy police spokesperson Luke Owoyesigyire stated that police have retrieved three other unidentified bodies from the Kinawataka flooding channels.

Isaac Kakooza, the local council secretary of Nsoba Zone in Kyebando Parish, Kawempe Division, noted that communities along the Northern Bypass, including Nsoba, Kyamuka, Mulimira, and Kalerwe, were the most affected by the floods. “

The flooding on the Northern Bypass is attributed to the clogged drainage channel of Nsoba, which runs from Mulimira to Kalerwe. The culverts are silted with soil, particularly at the Kalerwe roundabout, hindering water flow. This is the primary cause of flooding in our area,” Kakooza explained.

He further attributed the worsening situation to the ongoing construction of the Kyebando Ring Road, which has altered the natural water flow, causing floods to spill into residential areas already struggling with poor drainage.

Residents have expressed frustration over repeated losses caused by the floods. David Ssemakadde, a resident of Nsoba, lamented that despite the numerous lives lost during each rainy season, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has failed to implement effective flood prevention measures.

He said they witness deaths every rainy season, yet KCCA has taken no decisive action to address the root cause of these floods. Jane Nansubuga, a resident of Mukwaya Zone, described the flooding as a recurring disaster that destroys properties whenever the Lubigi Channel overflows.

“This is our life,” she lamented. “Heavy rains bring destruction, and we keep hoping for authorities’ assurances, which never come. We are often stranded at night when floodwaters from the Lubigi channel invade our homes.”

Other residents, seen draining water from their homes, criticized KCCA for failing to clean and expand drainage channels, which they believe could have mitigated the disaster. In addition to Bwaise and Kalerwe, other flood-prone areas in Kampala include Kasubi, Katanga, Kisenyi, Nalukolongo, Kabuusu, Katwe, Namungoona, and Kinawataka. Major roads frequently affected by floods include Queen’s Way, Ssebaana Kizito Road, Kabuusu Junction, Jinja Road Roundabout, and Kyambogo-Banda.