Traders operating in Kampala Central Business District have given the government a two-week deadline to compensate them for losses caused by the recent floods that hit the area after heavy rains on Friday.
The traders say they will close their shops on 25 March 2026 in protest if the government does not pay for the damage to their businesses.
Many of the affected traders operate in buildings such as Qualicel and Nabukeera Plaza, which have repeatedly experienced flooding since October last year.
While speaking to the media on 09 March, the traders blamed the floods on ongoing construction works along the Nakivubo Channel, saying the project disrupted proper drainage in the area. They also accused the Kampala Capital City Authority of failing to respond quickly or provide emergency assistance after the floods.
However, Kampala Central Deputy Resident City Commissioner Ali Shafiq urged the traders to remain calm, saying the government is working on the compensation process.
Shafiq explained that payments have been delayed because authorities are verifying the traders who were actually affected, to ensure that compensation goes to the right people.
