Why Kampala keeps flooding

By AMOS NGWOMOYA

Kampala- Residents scramble to cross the road by a meticulously makeshift wooden bridge
planted over a large stinking pool of water in Bwaise III Zone, Kawempe Division.

Marabou storks timidly hover as some bare-chested children wade through the stagnant water to
collect scrap for sale. The pool of water emerged just a couple of days ago after the skies
furiously opened, causing untold damage.

Bwaise, which slightly lies above the drainage channel on the Northern Bypass, has always been
an area prone to flooding.

The ramshackled housing units around this place always fall prey to the brunt of this natural
calamity whenever there is a heavy downpour.

“I have lived in this place for one decade now and this is how the situation has been like despite
pledges by authorities to improve the situation. The situation becomes worse when water spills in
the house, leaving us stranded the whole night,” recounts Ms Caroline Nabagala.

The emotive single mother of two says she would have relocated to a better place but she is
constrained by money. The harrowing tales of other residents in the vicinity are eye-popping.
Bwaise is just a tip of the iceberg of the places affected by persistent flooding in Kampala,
putting authorities in the spotlight for failing to address the issue.

During the rainy season, traders, motorists and other city residents are not spared either, causing
financial losses.

Affected areas

City suburbs such as Kasubi, Katanga, Kisenyi, Nalukolongo, Kabuusu, Katwe, Namungoona,
and Kinawataka among others are some of the most affected places.

Other flooding-prone areas in the city include Queen’s Way, Ssebaana Kizito Road (Former
Nakivubo Mews), Kabuusu junction, Jinja Road roundabout and Kyambogo-Banda, among
others. The previous floods have left dozens dead.

Since its establishment in 2011, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has upgraded a
number of drainage channels to divert floods. However, the problem seems far from over.

Dr Najib Lukooya Bateganya, the KCCA director for environment and sanitation, says although
there are primary drainage channels in place, these need to be complemented with secondary
drainages to reduce the volume of water that is accommodated by the former.
“The problem is that we have the main drainages, which are at times overpowered by the heavy
run-off waters. These main channels such as Nakivubo ought to be helped by the small drainages
to ease the flow. What we are now doing is upgrading more drainages to help the main ones, so
that we can get rid of the problem of persistent flooding,” he says.

However, Dr Bateganya notes that the public has always let down KCCA in its bid to fight
flooding because they dump waste in the drainages, which triggers backflow of water.

Public blamed

“That has been our biggest challenge as authorities because the public hasn’t complied with
regulations. For instance, when you walk around, you will see plastics and other waste dumped
in drainages, which is very absurd,” he says.

He says they are engaging city leaders to sensitise people about keeping drainages free of waste.
Dr Bateganya further attributes the flooding challenges in Kampala to encroachment on
wetlands, which, he says, are supposed to be catchment areas.

Currently, many factories and houses have been built in wetlands despite the existing law. But
authorities at times just look on because some developers wield much influence and are
connected to the powers that be. But Mr Emmanuel Sserunjogi, the Kawempe Division mayor,
says although KCCA contracted concessioners to manage waste in Kampala, they do not have
the capacity to do so because of the high number of tonnes of garbage produced in the entire city.
A statutory audit report released by Mr Moses Bwire, the KCCA director for internal audit,
poked holes in the operations of the contracted garbage collection companies over incompetence.
This implies that residents are compelled to dump garbage anywhere because the services are
hardly accessible.

To reduce flooding, Mr Sserunjogi reveals that he has embarked on a campaign in the entire
division to clean all the drainage channels to allow easy flow of water during the rainy season.

“This is a big problem which we must collectively fight because it tarnishes the image of
Kampala city. The situation is always appalling shortly after the downpour, hence exposing
residents to danger. I call upon my fellow leaders to mobile, sensitise and take part in cleaning
all places that block water flow,” he says.

The lowland areas of Kampala, coupled with the poor quality soils to absorb water, Dr
Bateganya says, make the city susceptible to flooding.
Dr Amin Tamale Kiggundu, a lecturer of planning and urban development at Makerere
University, says flooding is linked to climate change and changing weather patterns.

But he attributes flooding in the city to most settlements that have been established in areas that
were once wetlands or swamps. Flooding becomes inevitable whenever it rains. To mitigate this
calamity, Dr Kiggundu says Kampala needs a good storm water management system, which
should focus on preserving critical green spaces such as Centenary Park, protecting the wetlands
from encroachment and fostering plans that aim to harvest rain water.

Building laws “The building laws in the city need to change by forcing developers to leave some
portion of their land unpaved so that water can just be absorbed without necessarily flowing,” he
says.

While addressing journalists on the status of city roads last week, Mr Andrew Kitaka, the KCCA
director of engineering and technical services, revealed that upgrading of Kampala’s drainage
channels is yet to start.

“The study for updating of the drainage master plan for Kampala was completed in 2017. This
study has provided valuable information for the planning of the required improvement of
Kampala’s drainage system, the locations and extents flood prone areas as well as guidance on
mitigation measures for reduction of surface run off among others,” Eng Kitaka said.

He noted that the upgrade of these drainage channels had stalled because there was no any study
on which KCCA would base on to commence construction works.

Currently, KCCA is constructing city roads and upgrading drainage channels in all the five
divisions to improve urban mobility and reduce flooding. The five-year project is being funded
by the World Bank.
In Summary

Four junctions Jinja road-Lugogo bypass, Lugogo bypass-Upper Kololo, Lugogo bypass-Naguru
road and Upper Kololo-Wampewo have recently been signalised with funding from the Japan
International Cooperation Agency.

KCCA and JICA are in advanced stages of preparing a project for signalisation of 32 more
junctions in the city and construction of a traffic control centre.

ADVERTISEMENT

By AMOS NGWOMOYA

Kampala. Kampala Capital City Authority has announced that it will soon embark on the
redevelopment of Kinawataka, Lubigi and Nalukolongo drainage channels.

The revelation was made on Wednesday by Mr Andrew Kitaka, the KCCA director of
engineering and technical services, while giving an update on the implementation of Kampala’s
infrastructural development plan.

“The study for updating of the drainage master plan for Kampala was completed in 2017. This
study has provided valuable information for the planning of the required improvement of
Kampala’s drainage system, the locations and extent of flood-prone areas as well as guidance on
mitigation measures for reduction of surface run off among others,” Mr Kitaka said.

He noted that the upgrade of the channels had stalled because there was no study on which
KCCA would base to commence the works.

“Now that the study is ready, we are ready to start construction works. However, this will be
done after we have officially unveiled the study because the upgrade has to be in line with the
current road projects,” Mr Kitaka said.

Kinawataka, Lubigi and Nalukolongo drainage channels have claimed many lives as a result of
flooding during the rainy season.

Other drainage channels which are a threat to city residents are Kiyanja, Kawaala, Kyambogo-
Banda-Jinja road, Clock Tower-Queen’s Way, Luthuli-Bandali Rise, Lugogo-Jinja Road and Old
Port Bell Road.

Mr Kitata said these will be upgraded under the Second Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure
Development Project (KIIDP 2).

Currently, KCCA is constructing roads and upgrading drainage channels in all the five divisions
of Kampala to improve mobility and reduce flooding.
According to statistics from KCCA, Kampala is covered by a 2,100km road network, of which
only 500kms is paved.

The current road cworks, which comprise signaling junctions and upgrading drainage channels,
are funded by the World Bank under KIIDP-2.

Roads plans

For instance, 196 roads with a total length of 209.5km have been rehabilitated or upgraded to
bitumen while 48 others with a total length of 54.145km are under construction.

Mr Kitaka also revealed that the study for preparation of a multi-modal transport master plan for
Kampala metropolitan area has been completed.

He said the study will provide valuable information on the required infrastructure investments in
drainage management up to 2050.

Since KCCA’s inception in 2011, Mr Kitaka said several existing signal junctions have been
reconfigured and new ones signalised. For instance, three junctions in Nateete, Nakawa and
Wandegeya were reconfigured with funding from the Uganda Road Fund.

Four junctions Jinja road-Lugogo bypass, Lugogo bypass-Upper Kololo, Lugogo bypass-Naguru
road and Upper Kololo-Wampewo have recently been signalised with funding from the Japan
International Cooperation Agency.

Junctions on Makerere Hill Road, Fairway junction, Kira Road and Bombo Road have been
signalised.

MORE CITY DEVELOPMENTS

KCCA and JICA are in advanced stages of preparing a project for signalisation of 32 more
junctions in the city and construction of a traffic control centre.

This means that KCCA intends to improve a total 63 traffic junctions within three years. These
two projects are anticipated to start within mid this year and end by close of 2020.

angwomoya@ug.nationmedia.com
By AMOS NGWOMOYA

City residents have a reason to smile as Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has earmarked
three drainage channels for construction to mitigate perennial flooding.

The three drainage channels include; Lubigi and Nakamiro in Kawempe Division, and
Nalukolongo in Rubaga Division.

Unlike Lubigi and Nalukolongo which are primary channels, Nakamiro is a secondary channel
that discharges into Lubigi.

If the construction works start as per KCCA’s plan, those who reside around these areas will be
relieved after several years of grappling with the inconvenience of flooding.

Mr Brian Baagala, the KCCA’s manager in-charge of drainage told Daily Monitor that the
construction of Lubigi, Nakamiro and Nalukolongo drainage channels will be financed by the
Government of Uganda and the World Bank.

“Designs were made but we are still waiting for reports made by the chief government valuer so
that affected persons can be compensated before construction works start,” Mr Bagaala said.

He did not offer details on when the Chief Government Valuer could release a report but he said
it could be in two months’ time. Procurement, he said, is in final stages.

The drainage construction works, Mr Bagaala noted, is implemented by KCCA under the Second
Kampala Institutional and Infrastructure Development Project (KIIDP-2).

The five-year $183.7m (Shs684b) project which commenced in 2015 is funded by the World
Bank and the government of Uganda and is being implemented by KCCA. The KIIDP-2 project
among others involves construction of city roads to improve urban mobility, and widening of
drainage channels to reduce flooding.

However, he explained that it is the compensation details of the affected persons that reside near
Lubigi and Nakamiro that are currently being reviewed, saying that those of Nalukolongo are yet
to submit theirs for consideration.
The breakdown

According to the plan, the second phase of Lubigi channel, which measures 2.5km, stretches
from Bwaise to Hoima Road. It will be expanded and lined with concrete from Bwaise to
Kawaala using already acquired drainage corridor of roughly 40 meters. The channel will
thereafter be widened to about 100 meters to Hoima Road.

The first phase of Lubigi channel was constructed by Spencon Services with the aim of
preventing flooding in Bwaise, Kawempe division but it is constantly clogged with silt,
polythene which causes backflow of water.

Lubigi channel constitutes of 12.55km of the main channel and over 20km of the secondary
channels spreading through Nakawa, Kawempe, Central and Lubaga divisions.

Lubigi forms an irregular semi-circle around the city, starting at around Kisaasi to the North,
stretching Westwards, passing through Bwaise and Kawaala, then stretching southwards through
Busega totaling to about 42km.

The swamp has feeder arms that stretch along the Kampala–Mityana Road towards Buloba,
along Kampala–Masaka Road towards Kyengera, along Kampala-Hoima Road towards Nansana
and along Sentema Road that stretches from Mengo to Sentema.

The Kampala Northern Bypass Highway is built within the Lubigi wetland for more than half of
its length. While the Bwaise slum is entirely built within the Lubigi wetland.

Mr Bagaala also said that Nakamiro channel, which measures 3.2 km, will be expanded and lined
with concrete from Kazo Angola to Lubigi, adding that it will have an average width of 7 metres
with provisions for pedestrians to cross the channel safely.

“However, due to limited resources the planned construction of secondary channels that
discharge into Lubigi like Katanga, Nsooba, Kiyanja, Kawaala, Kiwunya just to mention but a
few was not possible, which has aggravated the siltation of Lubigi,” he said.

Mr Bagaala also revealed that the design, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA)
and resettlement plan of Nalukolongo channel are being reviewed. According to the construction
plan, the channel, which is estimated to be 30 meters by width and a length of 7km long, starts
from Kibuye and ends at Busega.The drainage channels have been designed to last for over 25
years.

The construction of these three channels is part of the updated 2017 drainage master plan.

According to KCCA, the objective of updating the 2003 drainage master plan was to develop a
new implementation programme for storm water drainage that reflects the current socio-
economic and drainage challenges.

Other objectives of the plan are to integrate natural environment, system drainage, infrastructure
development control issues and overall planning issues into a cohesive city-wide strategy for
drainage development that minimizes the impacts of flooding.

Whenever the heavens open, Kampala City grounds to a halt as a result of flooding. The water
volumes increase, turning a small stream of water into flash floods that sweep everything in its
path downstream, causing disruptions and destruction.

Several city shops close, the traffic gridlock intensifies, houses especially in the city slums are
washed away, others are submerged in water and sometimes lives are lost as a result of
drowning.

Problem statement

1.0 Background

Kampala’s drainage is mainly through eight primary channels. These include: Lubigi, Nakivubo,
Kinawataka, Nalukolongo, Kansanga and Ggaba, Mayanja/Kaliddubi, Nakelere/Nalubaga, and
Walufumbe and Mayanja North. These are served by numerous secondary and tertiary systems.

However, Mr Bagaala said that due to financial constraints, KCCA prioritises few channels at a
time which have a big bearing on residents due to financial constraints.

But Mr Bagaala said that to fully mitigate flooding in the city, they need a least a budget of about
Shs160b annually, saying that “if we get this budget for five consecutive years, then flooding can
be fully contained”.

However, even when KCCA is grappling with funding challenges, their budget for 2019/20 has
been slashed by Shs95b.
Kampala Minister Beti Olive Kamya acknowledged the fact that KCCA’s budget is small but she
said that she has since briefed the President about the matter.

“Most of the drainage channels have not been constructed because of shortage of funding but we
are hopeful that our next budget will be increased to enable us serve city dwellers, “she said.

Back ground

Currently, many factories and houses have been built in wetlands despite the existing law. But
authorities at times just look on because some developers wield much influence and are well
connected.

The illegal structures block drainage channels, make flooding inevitable.

During the survey to update the 2017 drainage master plan, it was found out that human waste
account for 39 per cent of the material dumped in drainage channels while Liquid waste account
for 28 per cent. And Kaveera account for 24 per cent while plastics account for 5 per cent.

Solution

Asked about how KCCA intends to weed out encroachers on catchment areas or block drainage
channels, Mr Bagaala said they have tightened the noose on them and prosecuted some.

Flood-prone areas in the city include Queen’s Way, Ssebaana Kizito Road (Former Nakivubo
Mews), Kabuusu junction, Jinja Road roundabout and Kyambogo-Banda, among others.

According to the drainage master plan, KCCA seeks to control water storm source by putting
more emphasis on, among others, rain water harvesting, permeable surfaces to enable runoff
water, rain gardens, green parks and open gardens, detention ponds, retention basins and
associated wetlands.

angwomoya@ug.nationmedia.com

kimera road
Objectives

Improving the kiwunya –Lubigi channel with a view of reducing on the flooding of the area of
kikoni in Kampala district

Specific objectives

 To carry out topographic surveys

 To carry out traffic count on cross bridges near Bwaise by pass
 Water testing to quantify pollutants in the waste water
 To produce designs for the parking lot near the UCC church
 To carry out the quantity surveying g of the material and scots that will be needed for the
construction of the channels
Scope of the study SCOPE OF THE PROJECT

Justification of the study

The normal methods of economic cost benefit analysis are not usually applied to a rural water
supply project, because it is regarded as a social service (Asingwire, 2005). However, the
discussion presented below states the impact of clean water supply on the general well being.

Poor hygiene and sanitation practices, compounded by low levels of access to safe water, a poor
living environment are the major causes of 50% child morbidity. Children repeatedly infected
with malaria, diarrhoea and intestinal parasites fail to grow normally and become prone to more
infections with increasingly serious consequences, the outcome of which is either death or
stunted development. The latter outcome contributes to low school performance and low
productivity, which fuels the cycle of poverty. In addition, the burden of water collection and
caring for the child infected with water and sanitation related diseases falls mainly on the women
and girls, contributing to maternal malnutrition, low levels of girls‘ school enrolment and
reduced opportunities for income generation.

A lot of resources are invested in provision of safe water facilities to rural communities. These
resources are contributed by Government, Donor Communities plus the Private Sector. All such
resources would be considered wasted if two years down the road if all the water points that were
constructed break down due to lack of proper management.

Communities are the trustees of water facilities that have been put in place. It is realized that any
failure or breakdown of these water sources is not consistent with Governments programmes of
providing safe and sustainable water of up to 100% of the community by 2015.

From the Government Policy (MoWE, 2001), resources are always committed to the
construction of new safe water points with only 10% earmarked for major rehabilitation and
replacement of pipes in boreholes. Most of the day to day breakdowns on water points require
minor repairs and maintenance. According to the County Water Officers quarterly reports, who
carry out mobilisation, site verification and supervision, it is likely that when a source breaks
down, the concerned community just abandons the sources and resort to their original traditional
source.

Government has made an effort to form CBMS fully entrusted with O & M of water facilities
but, the problem of sustainability has persisted. From a survey carried out by Rakai District
Local Government Water and Sanitation Department in January 2004, it was indicated that out of
the 362 boreholes in the District, 161 are not functioning, 140 shallow wells out of 430 are not
functioning, and 23 protected springs out of 133 are not functioning, with quite a number of
pumps vandalized.

Basing on the total number of safe point water sources constructed in Rakai from 2000 to 2004
the safe water coverage, which is based on constructed safe water sources is 42.6 %. While on
the other hand, from 2000 to 2004, the actual safe water coverage which is based on the number
of functional safe water sources is 31.3%.

These findings indicate a reduction in the percentage safe water coverage from 42.6% to 31.3%.
It is therefore probable that much as CBMS have been put in place, not enough has been done to

implement them thoroughly on the ground and consequently they have not contributed to
sustainability of the water sources.

There is need to look into the performance of the CBMS with the aim of establishing whether it
is a manageable, affordable and adoptable solution by the community to address operation and &
maintenance situation and if so, how they can be managed further