The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, has revealed that Cabinet approved UGX 18,999,500,000/= in compassionate ex- gratia assistance for 1,841 verified traders affected by the Kampala floods of 30 and 31 October 2025.
While addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre (UMC) on Tuesday, Hon Lumumba noted that government’s goodwill payment to the traders, was a result of the heavy rain fall that affected 13 arcades and St. Balikuddembe Market, commonly known as Owino in the central business district.
“Cabinet also approved an additional UGX 1,000,500,000/=. Of this amount, UGX 682,500,000/= will meet the operational expenses of the Federation of Uganda Traders Association (FUTA), and UGX 318,000,000/= is Government’s contribution to the FUTA Revolving Fund” she said.
Lumumba further revealed that alongside the assistance, Cabinet approved strategic interventions to address the underlying causes of flooding in Kampala’s Central Business District and prevent or reduce the impact of similar incidents.
She noted that investigations found a number of causes that led to the flooding including; interference with stormwater drainage by some property developers along Ssebana and Allen Road, adjacent to Nakivubo Channel.
“The properties cited were Totala, Qualicell, French Plaza, Ssekaziga, City Baza, Pentagon and Shree Indian Temple. Blockage of drainage outlets into Nakivubo Channel by silt, garbage, debris, and illegally constructed pavements and plinth walls. These obstructions caused water to back up and flood the surrounding areas” she said.
She added, ‘Undersized underground culverts and drainage channels along Nabugabo Road, Allen Road, Ben Kiwanuka Road, Luwum Street and Ssebana Kizito Road, too few weep holes to allow underground water to drain into Nakivubo Channel, poor disposal of solid waste and garbage and poor management of construction debris by developers along Nakivubo Channel”.
Lumuba further noted that environmental degradation and the expansion of paved surfaces, which increase water runoff into low-lying areas, was another cause of the flooding.
The compensation comes a fortnight after the Police intercepted a demonstration by traders at the Office of the Prime Minister over delays in disbursing the UGX 20 billion in ex-gratia compensation promised by President Yoweri Museveni.
The affected traders were operating in arcades including; Nana Arcade, Totala Building, Capital Centre, Pentagon Plaza, French Plaza, Premier Arcade, Qualicel Mall, Freedom Centre, Nabukeera Plaza, Ssekaziga Arcade, Jesco Centre, Jamboole Arcade, Tuba Plaza and Owino Market.
