KAMPALA – Government has announced plans to begin compensating traders affected by last year’s floods in Kampala once the ongoing verification process of beneficiaries is completed.
The Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees, Lillian Aber, said the delay in payments is due to the need to harmonise lists of affected traders submitted by different entities.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Aber revealed that a multi-agency committee has been established to clean up the data and eliminate discrepancies.
“The government is committed to ensuring that all genuine victims are compensated in a systematic and transparent manner,” she said.
The committee includes representatives from traders’ groups, the Office of the Prime Minister Uganda, Kampala Capital City Authority, and the Internal Security Organisation.
According to the minister, the harmonisation process is aimed at resolving inconsistencies in the lists compiled after the October floods, which affected several businesses, particularly in low-lying areas of the city.
Aber also cautioned traders against operating in unsafe spaces such as building basements designated for parking, warning that such areas are highly vulnerable to flooding and pose significant risks during heavy rains.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Uganda, Alex Kakooza, confirmed that government has secured UGX 20 billion for the compensation exercise.
He said the funds were provided by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to cater for ex-gratia payments to affected traders.
“The disbursement process will commence after the harmonisation phase is completed,” Kakooza said.
The October floods caused widespread damage to businesses and property in Kampala, sparking calls for government support and improved urban planning to mitigate future disasters.
