Government approves Shs18.9 billion for flood-affected Kampala traders

10 November 2026, 2:37 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Government has approved Shs18.9995 billion in compassionate ex-gratia assistance for 1,841 verified traders whose businesses were affected by the October 2025 floods in Kampala’s Central Business District.

The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba, announced the development while addressing journalists at the Uganda Media Centre in Kampala.

Lumumba also revealed that Cabinet had directed traders operating in basement sections of commercial buildings designated for parking to vacate immediately as part of measures to prevent a recurrence of similar flooding.

She said the beneficiaries had undergone a comprehensive verification exercise involving security agencies and several government institutions to establish the genuine traders affected by the floods.

The compensation programme follows an earlier commitment by President Yoweri Museveni to provide Shs20 billion to support traders who lost their businesses and property during the floods of October 30 and 31, 2025.

According to Lumumba, the verification exercise was necessary because different government institutions had initially submitted separate lists of potential beneficiaries. One institution presented about 7,000 names, while another submitted approximately 8,000, making it difficult to establish the genuine victims.

The Minister said the verification process helped the Government identify 1,841 eligible traders who will receive the assistance.