Museveni to Meet Downtown Traders Over Nakivubo Flood Compensation as Buganda Campains Heat Up.

President Yoweri Museveni is expected to meet a section of downtown Kampala traders later this week at his Kisozi country home, following renewed appeals over compensation for losses caused by the Nakivubo drainage channel floods.

According to sources, the President directed his aides to organize a meeting with the leadership of the Federation of Uganda Traders Associations (FUTA), led by John Kabanda. The meeting is expected to take place at Museveni’s Kisozi farm at around 7:00pm.

We have also learnt that the Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs, Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, is now in contact with the President’s aides to arrange a separate engagement on Friday, as Museveni will be campaigning in that part of Buganda during the week.

Speaking on the planned meeting, FUTA leader John Kabanda said traders intend to formally petition the President to intervene and speed up the compensation process for those affected by the Nakivubo floods.

“Our appeal to the President is to help us fast-track compensation for traders who lost their businesses and property during the Nakivubo floods,” Kabanda said. “We are also asking that the conditions set by different government agencies be reconsidered.”

Currently, traders seeking compensation are required to present a Tax Identification Number (TIN), a valid trading licence, proof of income tax payment, and a tenancy agreement — requirements many traders say they cannot fully meet.

The Nakivubo floods occurred some time ago during heavy rains that caused the drainage channel to overflow, flooding parts of the central business district. Several shops, stalls, and warehouses were damaged, leading to losses worth millions of shillings and disruption of livelihoods.

At the time, President Museveni maintained that government would not compensate traders who were operating illegally or without proper documentation, emphasizing that public funds could only be used for businesses that complied with the law. “Government cannot compensate people who are not registered or operating illegally,” Museveni said then, urging traders to formalize their businesses.

However, traders argue that many small-scale operators were caught in circumstances beyond their control and deserve special consideration, given the scale of destruction caused by the floods.

The upcoming meeting is now seen as a crucial opportunity for dialogue, as traders hope the President may soften his stance and provide relief to those still struggling to recover from the disaster.