Totala Traders Demand Promised Compensation Years After Devastating Floods

Business owners at Kampala’s Totala Business Centre are reiterating their demand for government compensation following severe floods that decimated their stock and left them in dire financial straits. The traders lament that the prolonged wait for promised aid has pushed many into crippling debt, jeopardizing their ability to rebuild and potentially leading to the loss of homes and businesses.

According to those affected, floodwaters submerged the business center, leading to the destruction of merchandise valued in the millions of shillings and leaving hundreds without a source of income. They are now appealing for the government to fulfill what they claim was a pledge made by President Yoweri Museveni in the aftermath of the disaster.

Traders express growing frustration over years of waiting without clear communication from officials regarding the compensation timeline. Some have warned that if their concerns remain unaddressed, they may be forced to organize peaceful demonstrations to draw public attention to their plight.

Muhammad Sebanakita, one of the affected traders, described the situation as reaching a breaking point, with landlords demanding rent and many sinking deeper into debt. “We have waited patiently for a long time. Government officials… assured us that compensation would be provided… However, nothing has reached us,” he stated, urging the government to honour its promise.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Herman Kavuma, another trader, who highlighted repeated engagements with authorities that have yielded little progress. He warned that patience is wearing thin, and if no action is taken, they may resort to protests.

The leader of traders at the center, Kakama Sharif, noted the increasing pressure from members struggling to recover from their losses, with many unable to repay business loans.

The consequences extend beyond financial ruin for some. Yusuf Ssesabagala faces the potential loss of his family home after failing to repay a substantial loan taken out to purchase stock that was destroyed in the floods. The crisis has also impacted his children’s education, with school fees becoming unaffordable.

The traders are calling on the Office of the Prime Minister and relevant ministries to expedite the compensation process, emphasizing that timely aid could enable them to restart their enterprises, settle debts, and alleviate significant hardship for affected families.

Source: Nile Post