KAMPALA, Uganda — Heavy rainfall in the early hours of Sunday submerged sections of the Kampala–Hoima Highway at Lubigi Wetland, leaving commuters struggling to cross the flooded road and triggering traffic congestion, minor accidents and renewed calls for urgent government intervention.
The downpour, which reportedly began at about 3am, turned the busy transport corridor into a hazardous stretch, forcing motorists to slow down while pedestrians waded through water in search of safer crossing points.
The flooding also exposed road users to concealed manholes and other dangers hidden beneath the water, prompting traffic officers to intervene and guide pedestrians, boda boda riders and motorists through the affected section.
Commuters face dangerous crossings
Residents and travellers faced difficult journeys as water spread across the road. Some pedestrians slipped while attempting to cross, with a number reportedly losing personal belongings in the process.
Others removed their shoes and walked through the floodwater, while local youths carried stranded commuters to drier ground for a fee.
One youth interviewed at the scene said he had carried eight people, earning Shs16,000 at Shs2,000 per passenger by the time of the interview.
Some tricycle operators, commonly known as tuk-tuks, and other transport operators also charged passengers to help them navigate the flooded section.
The disruption affected businesses and daily activities, with motorists experiencing delays and pedestrians forced to take risks to reach their destinations.
MP calls for a lasting drainage solution
Nansana Member of Parliament Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa called on the government, district authorities and the Ministry of Water and Environment to develop a comprehensive drainage master plan to address recurring flooding around Lubigi.
The legislator questioned the effectiveness of public spending on Kampala’s drainage infrastructure, arguing that repeated flooding points to the need for greater accountability and sustainable solutions.
He also raised concerns about wetland encroachment, saying structures erected in sensitive areas could obstruct water movement and undermine efforts to improve drainage.
Mukasa pledged to raise the matter in Parliament, describing flooding as a wider public concern affecting communities beyond Lubigi, including Kawanda.
Wetland protection and drainage under scrutiny
The incident has renewed attention on the relationship between urban development, wetland protection and Kampala’s vulnerability to intense rainfall.
Wetlands help store and gradually release excess water. However, encroachment, blocked drainage channels and expanding built-up areas can contribute to flooding and increase pressure on roads and surrounding communities. Uganda’s National Environment Management Authority has highlighted the importance of restoring natural water flows and protecting wetland ecosystems.
For commuters using the Kampala–Hoima Highway, the immediate concern remains safe passage and the restoration of normal traffic.
The latest flooding adds to continuing calls for coordinated action to improve drainage infrastructure, protect wetlands and reduce the disruption caused by heavy rainfall across the greater Kampala metropolitan area.
