News
Heavy rains cause flooding, cut off roads in Kampala
Some of the areas that were hit hard included Bata Bata along the Kampala-Entebbe road, Banda along the Kampala-Jinja road and Katoogo along the Kinawataka-Luzira road.
Pedestrians and motorists struggle to navigate a flooded section of Kinawataka, Kampala, following a heavy morning downpour on September 17, 2026. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
By: Charles Etukuri, Journalist @New Vision
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Several roads in Kampala were left flooded and some completely cut off after a heavy downpour that pounded the city and neighbouring districts.
Some of the areas that were hit hard included Bata Bata along the Kampala-Entebbe road, Banda along the Kampala-Jinja road and Katoogo along the Kinawataka-Luzira road.
As a result, the Uganda Police on Thursday, September 17, 2026, appealed to motorists to use alternative routes.
Those using the Eastern Highway were asked to divert and instead use the Northern Bypass, after flooding at Banda and Katoogo along the Kinawataka road paralysed transport along the roads.
The Traffic and Safety Directorate spokesperson, Michael Kananura, said due to heavy rainfall on Thursday morning, sections of the eastern route at Banda and Katoogo along the Kinawataka road had been cut off, making the road impassable to motorists.
Traffic police guiding traffic at a flooded section of Kinawataka, Kampala, following a heavy morning downpour on September 17, 2026. (Credit: Mpalanyi Ssentongo)
Those using the Eastern Highway were asked to divert and instead use the Northern Bypass, after flooding at Banda and Katoogo along the Kinawataka road paralysed transport along the roads.
The Traffic and Safety Directorate spokesperson, Michael Kananura, said due to heavy rainfall on Thursday morning, sections of the eastern route at Banda and Katoogo along the Kinawataka road had been cut off, making the road impassable to motorists.
“Motorists are advised to use the Northern Bypass until the situation normalises. Motorists are further urged to exercise caution and avoid flooded sections,” Kananura said.
Along Entebbe Road, four people survived after a truck fell into a flooded ditch at Bata Bata.
The rains come in the wake of the recent government warning to Ugandans about El Niño-related heavy rains expected from September to December this year.
The Office of the Prime Minister is scheduled to address a press conference today afternoon to give general updates on the expected El Niño rains.
Along Entebbe Road, four people survived after a truck fell into a flooded ditch at Bata Bata.
The rains come in the wake of the recent government warning to Ugandans about El Niño-related heavy rains expected from September to December this year.
The Office of the Prime Minister is scheduled to address a press conference today afternoon to give general updates on the expected El Niño rains.