As the heavens opened over Kampala one Thursday afternoon, boda boda riders frantically maneuvered through flooded streets, while pedestrians waded knee-deep through muddy water. At Nakivubo Channel, torrents surged, swallowing discarded plastic bottles and wreaking havoc on nearby businesses.
“Every rainy season, it’s the same story,” lamented Lydia Namutebi, a shop owner in one of the suburbs in Kampala. She says the water comes fast, and it leaves destruction in its wake.
Kampala’s flooding crisis is not new, but it is growing worse. Poor drainage systems, unplanned urban sprawl, and the mounting pressures of climate change have transformed the city’s streets into rivers with alarming frequency. Yet amidst the chaos, a burgeoning movement toward sustainable urban planning is attempting to rewrite Kampala’s story.
The Urban Jungle: How Development is Drowning Kampala
Kampala, Uganda’s bustling capital, is home to over 1.5 million residents. Originally built on seven hills, the city’s natural topography provided drainage for rainfall. However, rapid urbanization has altered the landscape. Wetlands, which once absorbed excess water, have been encroached upon by informal settlements and industrial developments.
The lake Victoria ecosystem has been a source of this flooding controversy in kampala, The Bugolobi-Namuwongo wetlands which have caused extensive flooding because of encroachment by unscrupulous businessmen who have built up on this wetland have inconvenienced the city system . pic.twitter.com/zz5BCQIPPU
— Mukula (@Mukulaa) September 20, 2023
According to a 2022 report by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), over 60% of Kampala’s drainage infrastructure is clogged or outdated, unable to cope with the rising intensity and unpredictability of rainfall exacerbated by climate change. The same report noted that incidents of urban flooding have increased by 40% over the past decade.
Yesterday’s heavy rains caused severe flooding in Kampala, affecting schools, and roads. Let’s unite for stronger climate action. #ClimateAction @NDP @groundWorkSA @WWFUganda @nemaug @KagutaMuseveni @LossandDamage @OkumuPhillip @wilsonamanya39 pic.twitter.com/Xzs7A445Os
— Global Earth Care Uganda (@GlobalC8533) July 11, 2024
Trapped by the Tide: The Struggle of Living with Urban Flooding
For Kampala’s residents, the impact is deeply personal. Namutebi recalls losing her stock to floodwaters twice in the past year. “I’ve tried raising the floor of my shop, but it doesn’t help. Every time it rains heavily, I know I’ll suffer losses,” she says.
Urban planners point to a combination of poor waste management and insufficient infrastructure investment. “We see garbage blocking the few functional drainage channels,” he explains. “But the root cause is a lack of foresight in urban planning. Kampala has grown faster than its infrastructure.”
Climate experts highlight how global warming intensifies the problem. “Rainfall patterns are becoming erratic,” says Dr. Nsiimire, a climate scientist at Makerere University. “When it rains, we’re seeing more concentrated bursts, which overwhelm drainage systems already compromised by urban sprawl.”
The Toll of the Floods
The human and economic costs of flooding are vividly apparent. In Bwaise, one of Kampala’s most flood-prone areas, families often sleep in makeshift platforms above the waterline. “We’re used to waking up in the middle of the night to move our belongings,” says Peter , a resident. “It’s not a way to live, but what choice do we have?”
Flooding in Kampala is destroying homes, businesses, and infrastructure, leaving families vulnerable. Climate change, poor drainage, and wetland destruction worsen the crisis. It’s time to take action: restore wetlands, improve drainage, and embrace climate-smart urban planning. pic.twitter.com/vxqLy6mm9W
— Mbabazi Faridah (@MbabaziFridah) November 18, 2024
Beyond the personal toll, flooding disrupts daily life. Schools close, traffic grinds to a halt, and businesses lose revenue. One striking image is that of boda boda riders ferrying passengers through flooded roads for exorbitant fees, their motorbikes transformed into lifeboats in the deluge.
#Uganda #Kampala: Call him Mr. Hero. He helps students at flooding clocktower in Kampala to cross over during rains for free Badru Katumba pic.twitter.com/vrKYAgA2OO
— Katumba Badru Sultan (@Katumbabadru1) October 21, 2019
The Fight for the Future: Can Kampala Overcome its Flooding Challenges?
The floods in Kampala reflect deeper systemic challenges, including inadequate governance, poor urban planning, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. If left unaddressed, experts warn that the situation could spiral further.
Efforts to mitigate flooding are underway, albeit slowly. The KCCA has embarked on projects to unclog drainage channels, expand flood-prone roadways, and restore sections of the city’s wetlands. In 2023, the authority launched the Kampala Climate Action Plan, which emphasizes green infrastructure, including rain gardens and permeable pavements, to improve water absorption.
Environmental activists argue that community participation is essential for lasting change. “We need residents to understand that how they dispose of waste directly impacts flooding,” says activist and eco-educator Gloria . “But the government must also step up enforcement against wetland encroachment and illegal construction.”
International partnerships also hold promise. Kampala has engaged with organizations like the Global Resilient Cities Network to fund climate adaptation projects, including early warning systems for flood-prone areas.
Government has secured USD 608.7 million (about 2.25 trillion) to address flooding,traffic congestion,poor road infrastructure,unsignalised junctions & unemployment in Greater Kampala Metropolitan area (GKMA) covering Kampala,Wakiso,Mukono & Mpigi districts & their… pic.twitter.com/mRnAp5Ens0
— Ministry of Finance (@mofpedU) June 15, 2023
Hope Amidst the Floods
As Kampala grapples with its flooding crisis, the path forward lies in both collective action and systemic reform. “We can’t control the rain, but we can control how we prepare for it,” says Dr. Nsiimire.
For residents like Namutebi, hope lies in the potential for a transformed city—one where rainy seasons no longer spell disaster. “I just want to do my work without fear of losing everything,” she says.
The changing face of Kampala reflects both its challenges and its resilience. As the city evolves, its ability to embrace sustainable urban development and climate resilience will determine not just its survival, but its prosperity in the face of a changing climate.
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