Recent downpours have been catastrophic for Kampala’s Central Business District (CBD) where essential merchandise from electronics to garments has been turned to soggy write-offs. Traders are now counting losses that run into billions, but they insist this is not a natural disaster; it’s a failure of governance.

The primary focus of the crisis is the alleged illegal construction along the Nakivubo Drainage Channel, a vital artery designed to save the city from flooding. Traders’ associations, including KATA, strongly argue that the controversial project backed by a prominent city businessman Hamis Kiggundu and reportedly endorsed at high levels has obstructed the channel’s flow.

The severity of the economic damage has pushed traders through their traders’ associations, Kampala Arcaders Traders Association (KATA) and UNATA Traders Association Uganda Limited to bypass street protests and head straight to the High Court. The suit, filed on Monday before the Civil Division of the High court is suing the developer, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), citing gross negligence and a failure to protect the city’s environment and commerce. The lawsuits demand hefty compensation and the immediate dismantling of the blockages.

“This matter goes beyond money or property, it’s about protecting human lives and upholding respect for public infrastructure,” Lukwago emphasized, pledging to mobilize both legal and political support for the affected traders.

For thousands of SMEs, the floods are an existential threat. The loss of stock in one afternoon can erase years of investment, stalling economic recovery and highlighting KCCA’s urgent need to prioritize urban resilience over questionable infrastructure deals.