Fairway Hotel, Kampala downtown flooded after afternoon downpour

Fairway Hotel and several parts of downtown Kampala were flooded on Thursday afternoon after a heavy downpour overwhelmed drainage channels and disrupted business operations across the city.

The rain turned streets into rivers, forcing traders, motorists and pedestrians to wade through muddy water as flooding spread through major commercial areas in the city centre.

Several shopping centres and business premises were affected, including Qualicel Bus Terminal Shopping Centre, Mutaasa Kafeero Plaza and Pioneer Mall. 

Traders rushed to clear water from shops and rescue merchandise as floodwaters entered buildings and arcades.

Videos and photos shared online showed submerged motorcycles, stranded pedestrians and overwhelmed drainage systems as water flowed through busy streets and commercial corridors.

At Fairway Hotel in Kampala, floodwaters reportedly entered parts of the property during the afternoon rainstorm. 

Social media posts linked the flooding to ongoing construction works at a nearby site, claiming the works interfered with natural drainage channels and redirected water flow toward the hotel.

The claims had not been independently verified by press time. However, the incident sparked debate online, with some residents blaming poor drainage systems and unregulated construction activities for worsening flooding in the city.

Others pointed to Kampala’s long-standing drainage challenges, including blocked channels, wetland encroachment and rapid urban development.

Business owners in affected areas said the floods temporarily halted operations during the busy lunch-hour period. Some traders were seen removing water from shops while others tried to protect goods from damage.

The flooding once again exposed Kampala’s vulnerability to heavy rainfall, even during short downpours. Residents and city observers renewed calls for improved drainage infrastructure and stricter urban planning enforcement.

Cleanup efforts were ongoing in several affected areas by Thursday evening as authorities and traders assessed the extent of the damage.