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 WEATHER 

For the period of September until December this year, the Uganda National Meteorological Authority said above normal (enhanced) rainfall is expected over several parts of Uganda, most especially over the Lake Victoria Basin and the hilly areas of Rwenzori and Eastern region.

Indeed, many parts of the country are seeing more rainy days lately, a sharp contrast to the sweltering days of extreme heat endured earlier this year.

In Kampala, Wednesday morning and afternoon (September 20) was one of those days when it rains, it sure pours. And for some parts of the city, heavy rainfall  — whether brief or for an extended period — means more than just the typical traffic jam witnessed during the rush hour. Flooding is another reality for these locations.

After Wednesday's downpour, many low-lying places got flooded, forcing businesses to close before their usual time, as both owners and customers or clients sought refuge.

A number of people — some stranded — pulled out their phones and captured the situation in their respective locations, and posted the footage on various social media platforms, including WhatsApp.

Below is a series of some of those videos:

One of the areas that is prone to flooding on many a rainy day is Lugogo in Kampala. It is a busy one and draws many people to engage in business transactions, shopping as well as leisurely activities.

But on this day, the weather forced employees in this financial institution's space at the Lugogo shopping complex to pull out equipment to sweep out the water that had invaded the hall. 👇🏽


"We are currently flooded. The place has a lot of water. We have halted business," says the person who captured this footage. 👇🏽


Also at Lugogo, the scene of vehicles in tyre-deep flood waters tells it all, as more brown water continues to force its way into the parking area.


One patron is heard wondering to another at a restaurant at Lugogo how his vehicle will start. He pans his phone camera from one end of the vast parking lot to the other to reveal dangerously fast-flowing flood waters.

From his tone, you can tell he is a bit worried and feels stranded — and rightly so.


It is a similar picture elsewhere in what appears to be a health facility. As the person capturing this grainy video makes his way through the flooded hallway, another is heard dramatically saying she has nowhere to go.


Another person's video takes us to what he says is Garden City, before panning further out to the Golf Course area. It is all flooded.

"All that is water," he says in stunned amusement. "Jesus Christ! Ho! Ho!"


Elsewhere, reportedly around Kyambogo, one car is seen trapped in a flooded roadway. On the sidelines, people are heard wondering whether the driver is still inside the vehicle that has listed to its side.

As they ponder on the fate of the unfortunate occupant, understandably unable to offer any help themselves, the waters slowly swallow the stranded car. For now we can't tell what happened next as the short video snaps to an abrupt end.


Much further afield, in Nateete, the aftermath of the afternoon downpour is all there for all to see in the form of flooded roads, timid riders and stranded pedestrians caught out by the harsh elements.


On a sad note, meanwhile, a young girl has reportedly tragically died after being swept away by fast-moving flood waters on her way from school.

For now, we don't have the details of this sad story.

 WHAT HE DID 

'I made a quick decision': David's experience

New Vision's David Mukholi was at Lugogo and had to think fast. Here, he shares his experience:

“ I arrived at Lugogo Mall in the rain and after a few minutes, my business there was over and had to head back to the office. As I was driving out, I realized  I couldn’t join Jinja Road.

Ahead of me were cars unsuccessfully trying to wade through a pool of rainwater at the gate. More rainwater was running from the direction of the KCCA Stadium, so I could not risk turning left.

Drivers were struggling. Some turned around and headed to the Lugogo Bypass exit. I followed them and right in front of Café Javas, rainwater like a huge river was following rapidly from the direction of Forest Mall.  It was nearly at the bonnet level of some small cars. The force and speed of the water could easily sweep away an adult.

I made it to the exit, only to realize the Jinja Road-Coronation Road junction was flooded and impassable.

I made a quick decision and took the provided turn, drove towards Shell Fuel station, turned left and took Russel Road towards the entrance of Lugogo Indoor Stadium.

I struggled to turn as the forceful gushing water offered resistance. ”