news 12 March 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kampala Floods Turn Streets into Rivers: Traders and Drivers Battle Heavy Losses
Recent heavy rains flooded key areas of Kampala including the CBD, Clock Tower, and Centenary Park, causing traders to lose merchandise and stranding vehicles from luxury cars to boda bodas. While residents show resilience, experts call for better drainage, wetland restoration, and urban planning to combat recurring floods worsened by climate change and poor waste management. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/lifestyle/entertainment/flooded-streets-and-floating-assets-surviving-kampala-rainy-days-5388024
Kampala, often hailed as Uganda’s vibrant heart, faces a familiar challenge each rainy season: severe flooding that disrupts daily life. Recent downpours earlier this month transformed streets into rushing waters, submerging the Central Business District (CBD), Clock Tower, Centenary Park, and nearby spots like Sebana Road, Allen Road, and Jinja Road corridor.
Traders in downtown arcades and Industrial Area warehouses watched helplessly as electronics, clothing, and stock floated away in the deluge. A luxury Mercedes-Benz stranded near Centenary Park became a viral symbol, highlighting how floods spare no one—whether in high-end vehicles or on boda bodas. Pedestrians waded through knee-deep water, while motorists abandoned cars to avoid deeper hazards.
The chaos extended to Golf Course, Forest Mall, and areas near Imperial Royale Hotel, freezing traffic and halting businesses. Low-lying neighborhoods like Bwaise and Kalerwe faced heightened health risks from sewage-mixed floodwater, raising cholera concerns as warned by officials.
Rain in Kampala strikes suddenly, overwhelming clogged drains filled with plastic waste and potholes turned invisible traps. City teams deployed suction trucks for cleanup, but these are seen as short-term fixes. Urban planners urge long-term action: restoring wetlands, upgrading drainage, stricter waste enforcement, and climate-resilient development.
Despite the hardship, Kampalans adapt with humor and grit—rolling up trousers, rerouting commutes, and laughing off the ‘aquatic’ commute. Yet, resilience alone isn’t enough; sustainable infrastructure is key to breaking the flood cycle.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)