news 11 October 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Kampala-Hoima Highway Submerged by Heavy Rains at Lubigi Wetland
Torrential rains have caused severe flooding along a section of the Kampala-Hoima Highway at Lubigi wetland, disrupting traffic, stranding commuters, and raising concerns about public safety and infrastructure. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/heavy-rain-floods-kampala-hoima-highway-at-lubigi-wetland-5627740
A severe downpour early Sunday morning led to significant flooding on the Kampala-Hoima Highway, specifically at the Lubigi wetland. The heavy rains, which began around 3 am, submerged a portion of the road, causing extensive traffic congestion and making navigation perilous for both motorists and pedestrians.
Commuters faced considerable hardship, with many finding themselves stranded. The rising water levels concealed hazards such as manholes, increasing the risk of accidents. Traffic police were deployed to manage the chaos and warn road users of the dangers lurking beneath the water’s surface.
Local residents noted that the extent of the flooding was unusual for the area, despite its proximity to the city center. The wetland, typically a floodplain, has seen water take an unusually long time to recede, spilling onto the crucial highway.
The situation created an impromptu economy, with local youths charging pedestrians and boda boda riders fees to help them cross to drier sections of the road. Some commuters opted to climb onto moving vehicles to avoid paying, while others simply waded through the stagnant, knee-deep water, risking their belongings and their health.
The flooding has not only disrupted daily commutes but also impacted local businesses, leading to concerns about waterborne diseases and economic losses due to delays. Nansana Member of Parliament, Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa, has called for urgent government intervention, demanding a comprehensive drainage master plan for the area. He also criticized ongoing encroachment on wetlands and questioned the effectiveness of past government spending on drainage infrastructure.
“We need a master plan for the drainage system. I call upon the district authorities and the Minister of Water and Environment to sit down and design a proper plan that will address this challenge,” MP Mukasa stated, vowing to raise the issue in Parliament as a matter of national importance.
This report was informed by a Daily Monitor article published on October 11, 2026.