Heavy rains leave 31 dead as Uganda faces worsening flood crisis

3 November 2025, 12:13 pm

 By Byamukama Alozious

Authorities in Kampala have issued fresh alerts and stepped up flood preparedness measures as heavy rains continue to batter parts of the country, leaving at least 31 people dead and hundreds displaced. The move follows days of torrential downpours that caused flash floods in the capital and deadly landslides in eastern Uganda — underscoring the country’s growing vulnerability to climate change.

According to the Makerere Meteorological Department, Kampala recorded 63.4mm of rainfall between October 29th and 31st, one of the heaviest accumulations this year. The downpour left parts of Nakivubo Channel, Kisenyi, Kyambogo, and the Old Taxi Park submerged, damaging property and disrupting transport.

While recent drainage improvements by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) helped reduce flooding in some areas such as Soya-Bunga,Soweto Bridge, and Lubigi, several hotspots were overwhelmed. KCCA Executive Director Hajjat Sharifa Buzeki said the authority remains on high alert. “Our drainage and engineering teams are fully mobilized, and we are working with the police, NWSC, and the Red Cross to keep Kampala safe and resilient,” she said.

Three people died in the city as a result of the flooding. One of the victims, a boda boda rider, was swept away by fast-moving water near Clock Tower, while two others drowned after floodwaters entered a downtown shopping arcade. The flooding has been partly blamed on ongoing construction works along Nakivubo Channel, which disrupted normal water flow and caused water to spill into nearby business areas.

Traders in Kisenyi and Ndeeba counted heavy losses as shops and merchandise were destroyed. “We lost everything , our stock, machines, and documents. This happens every rainy season, yet we get no support,” said Aisha Namuyomba, a local fabric dealer. Some traders briefly attempted to protest over the damages but were later calmed by city authorities.

In eastern Uganda, 24 people were confirmed dead in Kanuwa Village, Choswa Sub-county, Bukwo District, after flash landslides swept through homes following a night of continuous rain. Ben Musopo, the LC1 chairperson of the village, said the disaster struck without warning. “It rained for long hours, and by morning, entire families were gone. We have lost children, mothers, and elders,” he said. In Kween District, four members of one family also died after a river overflowed, according to the district chairperson, Geoffrey Chelogoi.

Following the tragedy, the State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Hon. Lillian Aber, visited the affected areas on behalf of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and ordered the deployment of UPDF personnel to assist in rescue and recovery operations. The Minister delivered financial support from the President, giving UGX 5 million to each bereaved family and UGX 1 million to survivors. A temporary holding centre is being established near Kapkwata Village along the Bukwo–Kween border to host displaced persons. The Uganda Red Cross Society, working with the Office of the Prime Minister and local authorities, will provide emergency shelter, water, non-food items, and psychosocial support.

Environmental experts say the increasing frequency of such floods and landslides is a clear warning of Uganda’s worsening climate crisis, worsened by deforestation, wetland encroachment, and unplanned urban development that blocks natural drainage systems. They urge government agencies and local leaders to invest more in climate adaptation, restore wetlands, and strengthen community preparedness to prevent further loss of life