Heavy rain floods Kampala–Hoima Highway at Lubigi wetland

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Heavy rain that began at about 3am on Sunday flooded a section of the Kampala–Hoima Highway at Lubigi wetland, stranding commuters, causing traffic congestion and minor accidents, and exposing pedestrians and motorists to hazards, including concealed manholes.

A morning visit by a Monitor reporter found residents struggling to navigate the waterlogged road as motorists slowed down, contributing to congestion and minor accidents.

More than five traffic officers were deployed to direct pedestrians, boda boda riders and motorists while warning them about concealed manholes and other hazards beneath the water.

Road users navigate a flooded section of the Kampala–Hoima Highway at Lubigi Wetland following a downpour on October 11, 2026. PHOTO/IBRAHIM KAVUMA.

Residents told Monitor that flooding of this kind, spilling onto the road, had not been witnessed in recent years, although floodplains appear to form after heavy rains when water takes a long time to drain from the area, which is less than 10 kilometres from Kampala’s city centre.

Several people slipped while crossing, with some losing their belongings. Others removed their shoes and waded through the water to reach the opposite side.

Local youths took advantage of the situation to earn money by carrying pedestrians to drier sections of the road.

One youth said he had carried eight people by the time of the interview, earning Shs16,000 at Shs2,000 per person. Those unable to pay had to find alternative ways to cross.

A man carries another man on his back to help him cross a flooded section of the Kampala–Hoima Highway at Lubigi Wetland following a downpour on October 11, 2026. PHOTO/IBRAHIM KAVUMA.

Another youth said he hoped the rain would continue because the work provided income amid limited employment opportunities.

Tricycle [tuk-tuk] operators, boda boda riders and taxi operators also charged passengers to cross the flooded section. Some tuk-tuk operators reportedly asked for Shs1,000 per person.

Other commuters climbed onto moving taxis using their metallic handles to avoid paying, while motorists slowed down to navigate the flooded road.

The flooding visibly disrupted businesses and daily activities, with stagnant water raising concerns about exposure to waterborne diseases and economic losses caused by delays and interrupted business.

“The stagnant water exposes residents to waterborne diseases and causes economic losses through delays and interrupted business,” a man at the scene said.

Nansana Member of Parliament Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa called on the government to work with district authorities and the Ministry of Water and Environment to develop a sustainable drainage system.

“We need a master plan for the drainage system. I call upon the district authorities and the Minister of Water and Environment to sit down and design a proper plan that will address this challenge,” the legislator told Monitor on Sunday.

Tricycles (tuk-tuks) transport passengers through a flooded section of the Kampala–Hoima Highway at Lubigi Wetland following a downpour on October 11, 2026. PHOTO/IBRAHIM KAVUMA.

Mukasa also criticised continued encroachment on wetlands, saying illegal structures near Lubigi wetland undermined drainage efforts. He called on encroachers to vacate the area to allow drainage works to proceed.

The MP questioned the value for money from public funds reportedly spent on Kampala’s drainage infrastructure since 2007, saying communities continued to experience flooding whenever it rained.

“We need accountability for the money. Since 2007, government has been trying to improve Kampala’s drainage system, but there is no value for money,” he said.

Mukasa pledged to raise the matter in Parliament, describing flooding as a national issue requiring urgent intervention.

He said the problem extended beyond Lubigi and Nansana to other communities, including Kawanda.

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