Kampala city is the heart of Uganda with all government offices, business centers, education centers and human settlements both in luxurious settlements and un-gazetted settlements commonly referred to as slums
Flooding remains a complex challenge in Uganda’s largest City, Kampala, with no quick fix, which has made the quality off lives miserable for city users and dwellers. In the end of last month, at least seven people died in the devastating floods that hit Kampala early, with police recovering multiple bodies across the city.
Among the victims is George Bogere, an employee of the US Embassy in Kampala, who drowned in Kasangati while riding a motorcycle. The un-ending fatal floods leaves huge concerns amongst dwellers and users on whether this is yet to end. Is it the end of the beginning or the beginning of the end to floods in Kampala?
Flooding in Kampala has been occurring with worrying frequency. It destroys livelihoods and infrastructure, essentially bringing the city to a stand-still whilst wiping out years of progress and development. As the city expands in size, population, and aspirations, it must address its susceptibility to flooding in order to realize a high quality of life for its residents. Is Kampala Capital City Council (KCCA) helping reduce the risk and impacts of flooding while making the city a more livable and competitive place? Currently, KCCA is playing blame cards with counter accusations from both the political and technical branches of KCCA
Has KCCA, and urban planning failed to safely and sustainably integrate water systems into urban space?
At a minimum, KCCA and other Ugandan cities need to develop a flood map. Ideally, they should develop a full flood risk assessment to plan for and adapt to future climate change scenarios. Work with expert partners, such as national or regional meteorological departments, universities and other research institutions, as well as relevant non-governmental organisations, to develop it
Does KCCA have a flood risk assessment? No! Working out of the dark! A flood risk assessment enables the city to identify and understand current and future flood impacts.
Informed by the flood risk assessment, KCCA needs to develop and implement a plan to protect lives and assets in the event of a flood. This can be through working with national and/or subnational governments, meteorological and emergency response departments, and other departments with relevant assets and responsibilities (such as education in public health) to deliver this. These early warning systems should use the best available weather forecasting and river-flow monitoring data available.
Making sound investments in public spaces, wetlands, comprehensive physical planning, gazetted settlements, and infrastructure like drainage systems among others could have greater direct protection from flooding. The revitalization of public parks, spaces and wetlands will continue to enhance livability and walkability as well conserving a natural environment for the public to enjoy.
Reducing debris and waste in the drainage system to reduce blockages. KCCA should ensure universal waste collection and disposal systems including for informal settlements to reduce the dumping of waste. Uncollected waste is a common cause of blockages, contributing to localized flooding
Create basins or small reservoirs to retain rainwater in the city. These are public spaces that are designed to flood safely, through the controlled collection and retention of rainwater. In dry conditions, they can be used for sports and leisure. For example, Rotterdam has built water squares to hold excess rainwater until it can drain into the nearby canal
Also, avoid new developments on wetlands and floodplains as much as possible, ensuring that any new development in these zones is adapted to reduce flood risk, increasing the natural space along riverbanks and in flood plains to enable safer riverine flooding, Construction of large-scale, underground rainwater retention tanks among many others
KCCA’s plan for reducing the likelihood and impact of flooding should be informed by its flood risk assessment. Key partners in developing flood resilience plans include the city’s urban planning and transport departments, water utilities, large building and land managers (such as education and health sectors, large retailers and housing providers), architectural and engineering experts, neighboring local governments and relevant national government departments. Is it the beginning of the end or the end of the beginning to floods in Kampala?
