Nabbanja explains delay in sh20b compensation for Nakivubo flood-hit traders
The traders were affected by flooding around Nakivubo Channel last year, with many claiming to have lost large quantities of merchandise after their businesses and stalls were inundated. President Museveni subsequently pledged sh20 billion to assist the affected traders.
Nabbanja told Parliament during plenary that the delay was caused by conflicting lists of traders presented by different groups and institutions, making it difficult for Government to establish the genuine beneficiaries. (Credit: Maria Wamala)
KAMPALA - Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has explained why traders whose businesses and merchandise were destroyed by flooding around Nakivubo Channel have not yet received the sh20 billion compensation promised by President Yoweri Museveni.
Nabbanja told Parliament during plenary that the delay was caused by conflicting lists of traders presented by different groups and institutions, making it difficult for Government to establish the genuine beneficiaries.
She was responding to Budadiri County East MP Julius Muntu Nakiyi, who sought an explanation on why the traders had not been paid despite Government setting aside sh20 billion for their compensation.
The traders were affected by flooding around Nakivubo Channel last year, with many claiming to have lost large quantities of merchandise after their businesses and stalls were inundated.
President Museveni subsequently pledged sh20 billion to assist the affected traders.
However, Nabbanja said the compensation process ran into difficulties after the Government received different beneficiary lists containing widely varying numbers of traders.
The Kampala City Traders Association (KACITA) submitted another list of 480 traders, while Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) presented a list containing 460 names.
The conflicting figures prompted Government to undertake a verification exercise to establish the legitimate beneficiaries.
Nabbanja said the exercise eventually resulted in a harmonised list containing 737 traders. While the traders' representatives submitted more than 2,000 names, the verification exercise reduced the number to 737.
However, the process was not concluded because the traders challenged the final list and petitioned President Museveni again.
“We wanted to start payment around May. But the traders petitioned the President again during that time. So, the financial year ended,” Nabbanja told Parliament.
She said the sh20 billion was therefore not transferred to the Office of the Prime Minister because Government was still waiting for a final beneficiary list and guidance on how to proceed.
The Prime Minister said Government is now waiting for President Museveni to provide further direction on the matter.
“Since that time to date, we are waiting for a direction or a directive from the President,” she said.
MP Muntu had pressed the Government to explain the continued delay, arguing that the traders had been waiting for compensation after suffering losses caused by the flooding.
The Government's position is that payments cannot proceed until the beneficiary question is conclusively resolved.
The Nakivubo Channel has in recent years undergone major rehabilitation and expansion as part of efforts to improve drainage and reduce flooding in Kampala. The channel serves as one of the city's major drainage routes, carrying stormwater through densely populated and commercial areas.
Flooding around the channel has repeatedly affected traders and businesses, particularly during heavy rains, resulting in destruction of merchandise and disruption of commercial activities.
The Shs20 billion pledge was therefore intended to provide relief to traders who suffered losses as Government continued with interventions to address flooding and drainage challenges in the city.