Sections of the hotel were left flooded.
UNFRIENDLY: Guests and workers at Fairway Hotel were left stranded on Thursday afternoon after heavy rains triggered flooding on the premises. The downpour, which lasted for hours, caused water to accumulate in several sections of the compound, disrupting movement and normal operations.
Videos and pictures shared by the public showed floodwaters covering parts of the parking area and walkways as people struggled to wade through the water. The same rains also affected several arcades, roads and business centres in downtown Kampala, causing temporary disruption to trade and transport.
Buildings such as Qualicel Bus Terminal, Mutaasa Kafeero Plaza and Ham Shopping Mall were once again flooded, with traders seen frantically draining water from their shops and rescuing merchandise from damage. The latest incident revived memories of the devastating November floods last year that destroyed property worth billions of shillings and paralysed business in several parts of the city.
Following that disaster, some traders dragged landlords, including businessman Hamis Kiggundu, to court demanding compensation. Thursday’s flooding came just hours after Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja announced that traders whose property was destroyed during last year’s Kampala floods can now access compensation. Some residents blamed the persistent flooding on poor drainage systems, saying recurring inundations continue to hurt businesses and motorists whenever Kampala experiences heavy rainfall.
About The Author
