Following a heavy downpour on Wednesday morning, devastating floods surged through Uganda’s capital, Kampala, killing at least seven people. There are concerns that the death toll may increase.
Ugandan police responded to a surge of emergency calls following an extended downpour that impacted Kampala and its neighboring areas.
Luke Owoyesigyire, deputy spokesperson for the Kampala Metropolitan Police, reported that “The heavy rainfall caused severe flooding, leading to motor vehicle accidents, pedestrians being swept away by swift currents, and extensive property damage.” He confirmed that five individuals lost their lives due to the flooding. Three bodies were recovered from the Kinawataka area, and efforts are underway to identify them. Tragically, two young children—three-year-old Eliza Otim Kisa and 11-month-old Ochon Ochaka—drowned in their home in Mulimira Zone, Bukoto.
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Initial police reports suggest that the children’s mother, Rose Mary Lenunu, had locked them inside the house while she went to work. Owoyesigyire noted, “She has since been arrested by Kira Road Police on charges of negligence, as neighbors allege this was a repeated behavior. Our rescue teams are actively assessing the situation and providing assistance. We urge the public to take necessary precautions during these heavy rains.”
Hours later, Owoyesigyire announced that two more bodies had been recovered.
“The police in Kasangati have retrieved two bodies from the Lutete area. One has been identified as Bogere George, a male adult and resident of Lutete Village, Kasangati Town Council. He was an employee of the US Embassy in Kampala and tragically drowned while riding a motorcycle early this morning,” he said. The second body, also of an adult male, has yet to be identified.
Visuals obtained by the Monitor depicted several cars submerged in floodwaters on Kampala’s potholed roads.
The floods impacted various locations, including the recently launched Kampala Queen’s Way flyover section, parts of the Northern Bypass, the Kampala-Jinja road section at Kyambogo University, Kinawataka-Katoogo road, Kyebando, and Najjera.
Reports from various authorities over the years have indicated that Kampala is prone to flooding due to factors such as encroachment on wetlands, poor drainage systems, and inadequate urban planning.
Source: The EastAfrican
look at how people are dying
eeeey Jesus hmmmmm
something must be done about this flooding thing oooo