Kawempe leaders urge government to fix drainage amid climate change

15 February 2026, 1:28 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Government of Uganda, in collaboration with partners such as the World Bank, has continued to renovate and reconstruct drainage channels across the country as part of efforts to improve infrastructure and mitigate the growing impacts of climate change.

Against this backdrop, local leaders from various parts of the country have been calling on the government to extend these crucial services to their areas. In Kawempe Division, Kampala, the area’s Vice Chairman, Sekanyo Suleiman, has joined other leaders in urging the government to urgently address a long-neglected drainage channel in his jurisdiction.

Sekanyo made the appeal yesterday while speaking to members of the press at his office in Kampala. He noted that climate change is occurring at an alarming rate and that communities must be prepared to mitigate its effects.

“I want to thank and commend our government for the renovations and reconstructions of various roads and drainage channels across the country. In doing so, the government is performing a highly commendable job that should not go unnoticed,” he said. “However, we request, through the Ministry of Works and Transport led by Hon. Katumba Wamala, that attention be given to our situation. This drainage channel in Kawempe Division has gone many years without adequate renovation.”

He expressed hope that government intervention would help address the health challenges residents are facing. According to Sekanyo, stagnant water in the open drainage channel has created breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to increased cases of malaria and other waterborne diseases.

“My people have been complaining about that drainage channel in Kawempe Division. It is so open, and there are countless mosquitoes. Many residents cannot afford to keep treating their loved ones for diseases that could be prevented through government action,” he added.

Sekanyo explained that while the community is willing to contribute towards improving the drainage system, the procedures involved are complex and beyond their capacity. He appealed to the government to intervene, emphasising that renovating the drainage channel would significantly improve public health and save lives.

Recently, the Government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Water and Environment, released the weather forecast for February, advising the public to prepare for changing conditions. The ministry encouraged citizens to make prudent use of rainfall while remaining alert to the unpredictable effects of climate change, some of which are difficult to prevent.

Local leaders in Kawempe have emphasised that improving poor drainage infrastructure will be a crucial step in strengthening community resilience against such climate-related challenges.