Kampala floods: Government earmarks Shs 20b to support affected traders

By Ismael Kasooha
KAMPALA

The Government has earmarked Shs 20 billion to provide financial support to traders who were affected by floods in Kampala last October.

This was announced by the Minister of State for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Lillian Aber, during a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) on Wednesday.

“His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has provided a fund worth Shs 20b to support these traders, and the process to disburse the funds to the affected traders is ongoing,” the Minister said.

Several traders had their merchandise destroyed by the floods that hit parts of Kampala City, including Nakivubo Channel.

Hon. Aber, who addressed the media together with the OPM Permanent Secretary, Mr. Alex Kakooza, said the provision of financial support to the affected traders has been delayed by conflicting lists of flood-affected individuals.

“We are harmonising the lists submitted so that genuine claimants receive the support,” Aber said.

The Permanent Secretary Office of the Prime Minister Mr. Alex Kakooza addressing the press

Mr. Kakooza said that a committee coordinated by the OPM has been established to implement the presidential directive to provide financial support to the traders.

“Traders will be represented on the committee through the traders’ umbrella association. The committee will verify the traders’ details and provide them with the procedures for receiving funds,” Kakooza said.

The State Minister for Relief, Disaster preparedness and Refugees Hon. Lillian Aber (left) and the Permanent Secretary OPM. Mr. Alex Kakooza during the press briefing in Kampala

He added that medium and long-term measures are being implemented, including stricter enforcement of building regulations, restoration of proper building use, drainage system upgrades, road improvements, and environmental rehabilitation, to prevent the recurrence of floods.