PM Nabbanja tours flooded arcades; Pearl Bank, govt launch FMD vaccine drive

5 November 2025, 10:01 am

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Prime Minister of Uganda, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, yesterday, on the directive of President Yoweri Museveni, toured various arcades in Kampala that were affected by last week’s floods.

Nabbanja was accompanied by the Ministers of Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Directors, Resident City Commissioners, and other officials. She sympathized with the traders and assured them that government would find a lasting solution to the problem.

“I am here on President Museveni’s directive to understand what exactly happened and how traders lost their property. We shall compile a report and explore how those affected can be supported,” she said while addressing traders at Sekaziga Plaza.

The traders appealed to government for compensation and requested that building owners refrain from pressuring them with rent, noting that most of them are unable to work due to the losses they suffered.

During her tour of part of the Nakivubo Channel with businessman and developer Hamis Kiggundu, the Prime Minister observed that certain measures needed to be taken to prevent a recurrence of the disaster.

“We need engineers on site especially from the Ministry of Works to ensure this does not happen again. Construction of culverts must start immediately,” Nabbanja directed, instructing Kiggundu to open the drainage channels to allow smooth water flow into the Nakivubo Channel to prevent flooding. She approved the continuation of construction while drainage works proceed a directive the developer accepted.

Meanwhile, Pearl Bank, in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries, launched a nationwide vaccination campaign against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala, the Minister of State for Animal Industry, Hon. Bright Rwamirama, thanked partners especially Pearl Bank for joining the initiative, saying it will help farmers save significantly. However, he emphasized that farmers remain responsible for purchasing the vaccine.

Carol Andama, the Head of Public Sector at Pearl Bank, who represented the Managing Director, said their role in the partnership is to enable farmers to conveniently access vaccines, safeguard their livestock, and strengthen the country’s agricultural economy, which has faced many challenges.

It should be noted that farmers, especially in rural areas, have repeatedly voiced concern over the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease, which has led to loss of cattle and jobs. The government had earlier imposed a ban on cattle transportation in the most affected districts to curb the spread of the disease.