Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has announced that the International Security Organization (ISO) will verify the number of traders eligible for compensation following last year’s floods that affected downtown Kampala arcades.
Nabbanja revealed that she received a call on Wednesday from leaders of the Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) threatening to strike over delayed compensation, even though the association itself partly contributed to the hold-up.
When asked to provide the number of affected traders, KACITA submitted figures significantly higher than those from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
“KCCA gave me 460 traders, the leaders of the traders gave me 2,000, and another list came of 1,600,” Nabbanja said, prompting her to involve ISO.
Arcade owners also submitted a separate list of 360 traders, suggesting that KACITA may have inflated numbers to secure compensation funds.
ISO has already begun investigations to reconcile these discrepancies.
Following last year’s floods, traders requested emergency support from KCCA and sought suspension of rent and loan obligations to recover losses, which they claimed were worsened by construction works along the drainage channel owned by businessman Ham Kiggundu.
Nabbanja noted that the president had previously intervened to resolve the matter, but traders are now complicating the process.
Earlier this week, some traders held a press conference in Ndeeba, warning that the government must expedite compensation or face a strike later this month.
The situation worsened last Friday when heavy rains caused flooding in the Kampala arcades again, with traders posting videos on social media showing merchandise damaged by floodwaters.
By Francis Lubega
13th Mar 2026
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