Today, October 31, 2025, Kampala City woke up in pain and confusion after a long night of heavy rainfall that left most parts of the city center flooded. Streets turned into rivers, shops were submerged, and hundreds of traders watched helplessly as their goods floated away in the dirty floodwater. It was a night of misery that once again reminded Ugandans of the poor drainage system in the capital city.
As usual, there were no proper trenches to guide the running water during the downpour. The situation was made worse by the blocked Nakivubo Channel, a major water path that carries rainwater from the city center out of Kampala. Reports show that this blockage was linked to a project owned by businessman Hamis Kiggundu, who has been redeveloping parts of the city under what he calls a plan to “modernize Kampala.”
Many city dwellers and traders, however, believe that Kiggundu’s construction works have instead caused more harm than good. They blame him for blocking the natural flow of water, which led to severe flooding in downtown Kampala. According to eyewitnesses, entire buildings in areas such as Kikuubo, Nabugabo, and Allen Road were filled with floodwater that destroyed valuable goods and business equipment. Traders cried as they watched their stock, worth millions of shillings, being washed away.
This is not the first time Kampala has experienced such flooding. Over the years, the city has suffered repeated floods whenever heavy rain falls, yet little has been done to improve the drainage system. Many Ugandans recall remarks made by Erias Lukwago, the Lord Mayor of Kampala, who once warned that giving too much power and land to private developers like Hamis Kiggundu would bring regret. Lukwago accused Kiggundu and other “mafias” of taking over public land and misusing the city’s resources for their personal benefit.
The recent floods have now given weight to those warnings. As the water covered the streets, angry traders gathered in groups demanding justice and compensation for their losses. Many said they had lost everything from electronics and clothes to food items and furniture with no hope of recovery. Others blamed city authorities for failing to supervise construction projects that interfere with the city’s drainage system.
Security officers were deployed early in the morning to control crowds and maintain order. Police and the military surrounded flooded buildings to prevent violent protests. However, tension remained high as traders accused the businessman of negligence and called for the government to take action. Some traders who tried to stage a peaceful protest against the blockage of the drainage channel were reportedly attacked by unidentified goons allegedly linked to Hamis Kiggundu.
UPDATE: Some traders were attacked this morning by goons allegedly linked to businessman Hamis Kiggundu as they attempted to hold a peaceful protest against his plans to turn a drainage channel into arcades.
🎥 @ibrahim_kavuma pic.twitter.com/Nugc9fi2By— 933 KFM (@933kfm) October 31, 2025
The floods have caused not only physical destruction but also emotional and financial suffering. For small traders who survive on daily sales, the damage means starting from zero. Others may never recover, especially those who had borrowed money to restock ahead of the festive season. The entire downtown Kampala has been left in ruins, with piles of debris, mud, and garbage scattered across the streets.
Residents and business owners are now calling on the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the central government to urgently address the issue of poor drainage. They want those responsible for blocking water channels to be held accountable and for a long-term solution to be implemented. Without such action, Kampala risks facing similar disasters every rainy season.
For now, the city remains in a state of shock. What was once the busy heartbeat of Uganda’s economy is covered in water and silence. The tragedy of this flood has once again exposed the failures in city planning and governance. Until real solutions are found, the story of “floody Kampala” will continue to repeat with traders counting losses and blaming the same causes year after year.
