Following Monday's heavy downpour in Kampala, which claimed the lives of two residents from the Bwaise-Kimumbasa and Kalerwe Mukwaya zones, the community is calling on the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to urgently rehabilitate the drainage channel.
Residents in Kawempe Division, particularly those near the Lubigi drainage channel, are raising alarm over the increasing dangers posed by the channel during flooding. Following Monday's heavy downpour in Kampala, which claimed the lives of two residents from the Bwaise-Kimumbasa and Kalerwe Mukwaya zones, the community is calling on the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to urgently rehabilitate the drainage channel.
Joseph Musa, a plastic collector from Bwaise, shared that his friend Innocent Bwambale was killed while trying to protect his merchandise during the downpour. Musa explained that despite their efforts to save Bwambale, the flooding was too severe, and he was swept away. His body was recovered by police hours after the rains subsided and taken to the city mortuary at Mulago.
//Cue-in: “Yabade nga…”
Cue-out:…tegamutwala amazzi” //
Jane Nansubuga, a resident of Mukwaya zone, spoke to URN about the persistent flooding problem in Bwaise, where people regularly lose their lives during heavy rains. Nansubuga described the flooding as a recurring disaster, with properties being destroyed every time 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."
The heartbreaking stories of Bwaise residents reflect a broader crisis. This area, like many others in Kampala, is plagued by recurrent flooding, bringing into question the government's inaction on the matter. Residents from Katogo and Kimumbasa in Bwaise are calling on KCCA to rebuild the Lubigi drainage channel to the same standard as the Nakivubo channel, hoping it will help reduce flooding and prevent further loss of life.
//Cue-in: “Batukolere omwala…
Cue-out: “…nga nganavubo nga,”//
Emmanuel Sserunjonji, Mayor of Kawempe Division, explained that the frequent flooding in areas surrounding the Lubigi channel is due to its clogging with silt. He added that the situation has been aggravated by KCCA's failure to pay the salaries of the employees responsible for desilting the drainage channels in Kawempe.
“This is one of the city’s largest drainage channels, serving as a critical mechanism for controlling flooding. However, it faces significant challenges, including siltation and the accumulation of industrial waste, which have severely damaged the channel. Our people are suffering from dangerous flooding, which causes extensive damage to property and results in lives being lost every time it rains,” Sserunjonji said.
He further emphasized that the lack of a proper waste management plan in Kampala has contributed to the worsening flooding situation, with residents often dumping garbage into the channels.
//Cue-in: “Ebisaniko bikyalemye…
Cue-out: “…otelezeebwa kyova,”//
In addition to residents of Bwaise and Kalerwe, other Kampala suburbs such as Kasubi, Katanga, Kisenyi, Nalukolongo, Kabuusu, Katwe, Namungoona, and Kinawataka are also greatly affected during heavy rainfall.
Flood-prone areas in the city include Queen’s Way, Ssebaana Kizito Road, Kabuusu junction, Jinja Road roundabout, and Kyambogo-Banda, among others. Previous floods have left dozens of people dead. Efforts to reach KCCA’s spokesperson, Daniel Nuwabine, for a comment on the city's flood management plans were unsuccessful, with repeated calls going unanswered.
Mugisha James
Freelancer