Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki, toured areas affected by flooding in Kampala to evaluate the damage suffered by traders.

The heavy downpour that hit Kampala and its surrounding metropolitan areas on Friday night last week caused severe flooding across the city and its suburbs. Numerous building arcades in downtown Kampala were submerged, resulting in the destruction of goods and merchandise valued at billions of shillings.

During her visit, Buzeki inspected several arcades, including Ssekaziga, Totala, and French Plaza, where traders were busy salvaging water-damaged items. Shops located in the basements were particularly affected, with some vendors seen loading soaked merchandise onto trucks and leaving the flooded premises.

Buzeki also visited Nakivubo Settlement Primary School to examine flood-related damage, noting concerns as Primary Seven students prepare to begin their final examinations nationwide on Monday.

Some traders reported hearing local leaders blame them for using basement spaces, arguing that these areas were originally intended for parking. Nasser Kagimu, a trader at Ssekaziga Arcade, countered this, saying, “All traders with basement shops have been paying KCCA trading licenses and other fees that legally allow them to operate businesses in Kampala.”

Victor, another vendor, highlighted safety concerns, noting that prolonged waterlogging had weakened the buildings and caused cracks in the walls, leaving traders fearful for their safety.

After the tour, Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki told journalists that a KCCA technical team would evaluate the damage and determine the causes of the floods. She added, “The assessment report will guide the authority on the appropriate interventions to support the affected traders.”