Heavy rains turned deadly in Kampala early Wednesday morning as flash floods swept through the city, claiming at least seven lives and leaving a trail of destruction. Among the victims was George Bogere, an employee of the US Embassy in Kampala, who drowned while riding his motorcycle through the flooded streets of Kasangati.

The Kampala Metropolitan Police confirmed that Bogere’s body was recovered from the Lutete area alongside another unidentified male victim. The tragic incident highlights the dangers posed by the sudden and severe flooding that submerged roads, swept away vehicles, and destroyed homes across the Ugandan capital.

In a separate heartbreaking case, police arrested Rose Mary Lenunu after her two young children drowned inside their locked home in Mulimira Zone, Bukoto. The victims were identified as three-year-old Eliza Otim Kisa and 11-month-old Chon Ochaka. Authorities charged the mother with negligence for leaving the children unattended during the violent storm.

“It is with deep sadness that we confirm the drowning of two young children in Mulimira Zone, Bukoto, after being left alone in a locked house,” said ASP Luke Owoyesigyire, deputy spokesperson of the Kampala Metropolitan Police. “We are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident and have arrested the mother in connection with her actions.”

The floodwaters claimed more lives in Kinawataka, where police recovered three additional bodies whose identities remain unknown. Rescue teams worked throughout the day to assess the full extent of the damage as authorities warned residents to exercise extreme caution during the ongoing severe weather conditions.

“This tragedy is a stark reminder of the importance of securing your home and ensuring the safety of your children during heavy rainfall,” Owoyesigyire stated. “We urge the public to avoid unnecessary movement during such weather to prevent further incidents.”

The devastating floods transformed Kampala’s streets into raging rivers, catching many residents by surprise in the early morning hours. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as fast-rising waters swept away everything in their path. Several vehicles were completely submerged, and many homes in low-lying areas were flooded within minutes.

Emergency services responded to multiple distress calls across the city, but the speed and intensity of the flooding made rescue operations challenging. The bodies of all seven victims have been taken to the City Mortuary at Mulago Hospital for postmortem examinations as investigations into each case continue.

The death of the US Embassy staff member has drawn particular attention to the dangers faced by commuters during such extreme weather events. Eyewitnesses reported seeing several motorcycles being swept away by the powerful currents that formed on what are normally busy city roads.

Local authorities have issued renewed warnings about the ongoing rainy season, which frequently brings such dangerous conditions to Kampala’s often inadequate drainage systems. Urban planners have long warned about the risks posed by unregulated construction and poor infrastructure in flood-prone areas of the city.

“We extend our deepest condolences to the families affected by this tragedy,” Owoyesigyire added. “This serves as a warning for all of us to take the necessary precautions during this rainy season.”

The floods have also raised questions about the city’s preparedness for extreme weather events, which climate scientists predict will become more frequent and intense. Many residents in affected areas reported receiving no advance warnings about the potential for dangerous flooding.

As Kampala begins to assess the full damage from Wednesday’s disaster, community leaders are calling for better urban planning and emergency response systems to prevent similar tragedies in future. The deaths of seven people in a single morning has shocked the nation and prompted calls for immediate action to address the city’s vulnerability to flooding.

For now, authorities continue to monitor weather patterns and have urged residents in low-lying areas to relocate to safer ground until the heavy rains subside. The tragic events have left families grieving and a city grappling with how to better protect its citizens from nature’s fury.

The US Embassy has not yet released an official statement regarding their employee’s death, but sources confirm they are providing support to the victim’s family. Meanwhile, the community mourns all seven lives lost in what has become one of Kampala’s deadliest flood events in recent memory.

As cleanup efforts begin across the city, many are left wondering when proper measures will be implemented to prevent such needless loss of life during Uganda’s rainy seasons. For the families of the victims, Wednesday’s tragedy serves as a painful reminder of how quickly normal life can be swept away by forces of nature.