Kampala Residents Urged to Clear Drainage Channels to Prevent Flooding

Residents of Kampala are being urged to keep drainage channels clear to prevent flooding during heavy rains. The call comes as authorities warn that poor waste disposal continues to worsen flooding in several parts of the city. According to Hajj Abubakar Kalema, a principal meteorologist at the Ministry of Water and Environment, blocked drainage channels are a major contributor to flooding in Kampala.

Kalema explains that polythene bags, plastic bottles, and other household waste often accumulate in drainage channels, preventing rainwater from flowing freely. During heavy rainfall, blocked channels cause water to overflow onto roads, residential areas, and business premises, damaging property and disrupting transport and commercial activities. The problem has been worsened by Kampala's growing population, rapid construction, and increasing pressure on the city's drainage infrastructure.

Polythene bags, commonly known as kaveera, are among the biggest concerns because they easily become trapped in culverts and drainage openings, collecting other waste and obstructing the flow of water. Kalema has called on residents, traders, and local authorities to take responsibility for keeping drainage channels clear, particularly ahead of the rainy season. Regular cleaning and maintenance of drainage channels could help reduce flooding in some of the city's most affected areas.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Sharifah Buzeki has also emphasized the need for regular cleaning and desilting of drainage channels. She notes that removing accumulated rubbish, soil, and other debris from drainage systems should be a routine exercise, particularly before and during the rainy seasons. Waiting until flooding occurs makes it more difficult and costly to respond to the damage.

However, Buzeki acknowledges that blocked drainage channels are only part of Kampala's flooding problem. Construction along natural waterways, wetland encroachment, inadequate drainage infrastructure, and increased surface runoff are other factors contributing to flooding in the city. KCCA has previously identified poor garbage management and inadequate drainage among the major causes of flooding in Kampala.

Residents have been encouraged to dispose of waste properly and avoid dumping rubbish in drainage channels. City authorities continue to clean and maintain existing drainage infrastructure. The authorities' efforts aim to mitigate the impact of flooding, which has become a recurring problem in Kampala. By working together, residents and authorities can help prevent flooding and reduce the associated damage.

The Ugandan government and KCCA are working to address the root causes of flooding in Kampala. The efforts include public education campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of proper waste disposal and the need to keep drainage channels clear. By taking a proactive approach, the authorities hope to reduce the frequency and severity of flooding in the city and make Kampala a safer and more resilient place for its residents.

Key points

• Blocked drainage channels are a major contributor to flooding in Kampala.
• Poor waste disposal and inadequate drainage infrastructure exacerbate flooding.
• Authorities urge residents to take responsibility for keeping drainage channels clear.