KAMPALA
At least three people were by Wednesday noon feared dead after devastating floods swept through Kampala City Centre and its suburbs ,submerging roads and houses .
Two deaths of children were reported in Nakawa Division and another of a boda boda rider who rammed into a truck at a flooded section of a road in the same division. Identities of the victims and circumstances leading to their deaths were yet to be provided by local authorities and police .
The floods were a result of early morning down pour that started around 5am and lasted for several hours cutting off several roads connecting various suburbs to the city centre.
Several images circulating on social media platforms show motorists stranded with submerged cars on various roads, including a section of Mukwano Road , Nateete- Wakaliga Road , Bata Bata along Kampala-Entebbe Road Kisalo-Salo-Kamwokya Road ,Kampala-Jinja highway at Kyambogo, Kinawataka (Katogo), Kyebando, Najjera, Kyebando, part of the Northern Bypass and a section of Clock Tower in down town Kampala .
To guide those still stuck at home, the traffic police spokesperson, Mr Michael Kananura posted on his X handle advising motorists to use alternative routes or wait for water to subside. By midday the rain was still pounding the in some city suburbs.
“Due to heavy rainfall this morning, the areas of Banda, Kyambogo & Kinawataka (Katogo) have become impassable. Motorists are advised to use the Northern Bypass as an alternative route to avoid delays and inconveniences. Alternatively, please be patient and wait until the water subsides,” he said
Moments later Mr Kananura issued another post ; “Be informed that parts of the Northern Bypass are also impassable due to flooding. We urge all motorists to exercise extreme caution and patience until the water subsides” an advised motorists not to attempt to drive through flooded areas, as vehicles can become buoyant and lose traction.
“It’s better to delay your journey or postpone it altogether than to risk your life,” he said.
Daniel Kiwanuka, a resident of Kimbejja – Nabbingo in Kyengera Town Council said they were still indoors at 11am as a result of heavy and wasn’t sure of the time he will report at his workplace at Twed Towers in Kampala City centre .
“The section of the stretch from here to the main road is slippery and completely cutoff and driving my car will be a waste of time . I am waiting for the rain to subside so that I can jump on a boda boda to connect to my office ,” he said