The official launch brought together local council leaders, community leaders and residents of Bwaise who warmly welcomed the initiative and expressed their commitment to working together to restore their community’s drainage system. The event was more than a launch, it was the beginning of a shared responsibility to create a cleaner, healthier and more flood resilient Bwaise.

As part of the launch, the Sisterhood Chain International delivered the essential materials that will be used throughout the initiative. These include waterproof body boots, spades, wheelbarrows, gloves, rakes, shovels and other equipment that will support the community in the regular desilting and unclogging of drainage channels.

For many residents, these were not just working tools but long awaited resources that have stood between them and their willingness to act.

For years, community members have tried to clear blocked drainage channels using whatever resources they had. However, the work has been difficult and at times, dangerous due to the lack of proper protective equipment. Waterproof body boots and other essential materials are expensive and beyond the reach of many families, making it almost impossible to carry out the work safely and consistently.

The Kampala FloodWatch initiative seeks to change that by ensuring that communities are equipped with the tools they need while placing local residents at the centre of the solution. Rather than waiting for others to solve the problem, the initiative empowers the very people who experience flooding every rainy season to lead efforts to reduce its impact.

Bwaise is one of Kampala’s most flood prone communities. As a collection point for stormwater, rainwater and wastewater flowing from different parts of the city, its drainage channels receive enormous amounts of silt, rubbish and debris. Once these channels become blocked, water has nowhere to flow, leading to flooding, stagnant water, poor sanitation and increased health risks for thousands of residents.

Through Kampala FloodWatch, community members will work alongside environmental defenders, local leaders, volunteers and other stakeholders to desilt and unclog drainage channels, remove accumulated waste, promote proper waste management and strengthen community ownership of environmental protection.

The enthusiasm shown during the launch reflected the community’s readiness to be part of the solution. Residents welcomed the initiative not simply because it addresses flooding, but because it restores hope that collective action can transform their neighbourhood.

At Sisterhood Chain International, we believe that sustainable change begins with communities themselves. By providing practical support, building partnerships with local leadership and encouraging active citizen participation, Kampala FloodWatch demonstrates that lasting solutions are possible when communities are trusted, equipped and empowered to lead.

Recognizing this challenge, Sisterhood Chain International has launched The Kampala-FloodWatch, a community led initiative that combines environmental action, civic participation and technology to reduce flooding and strengthen community resilience.

Why The Kampala-FloodWatch?

The project was created with a simple belief of communities should not only respond to floods, they should help prevent them.

Flooding affects livelihoods, education, public health and the dignity of families living in vulnerable areas. Through this initiative, Sisterhood Chain International is working alongside local leaders, residents, environmental & human rights defenders, and other stakeholders to develop practical sustainable solutions that begin within the community.

The initiative is being piloted in Bwaise-Katogo, one of Kampala’s most flood prone communities with the vision of expanding to other areas across the city.

A Community-Driven Approach

The Kampala-FloodWatch places local residents at the center of the solution. Working with community leaders, volunteers and residents, the project organizes weekly community clean up activities aimed at unclogging drainage channels, removing accumulated silt, collecting plastic waste and improving sanitation around waterways. Heavy machinery such as tractors and excavators will be used where necessary to support large scale desilting and drainage restoration.

The project also promotes responsible waste management by distributing large community garbage bins and encouraging households to dispose of waste properly instead of dumping it into drainage channels.

Community awareness and environmental education are equally important components of the initiative, helping residents understand how everyday actions contribute to flooding and what they can do to prevent it.

Harnessing Technology for Faster Flood Response

Beyond community action, The Kampala-FloodWatch is developing an innovative digital reporting platform. The planned FloodWatch application will allow community members to report flooded locations by uploading photographs directly from affected areas. These reports will include location information, enabling relevant government agencies and emergency responders to quickly identify flood hotspots and navigate directly to them using GPS. This real time reporting system aims to improve coordination, strengthen emergency response and provide valuable information that can support long term planning and infrastructure improvements.

Building Partnerships for Lasting Change Flood prevention requires collective action. Sisterhood Chain International believes that sustainable solutions are achieved through collaboration between communities, civil society organizations, local government authorities, environmental experts and development partners. The Kampala-FloodWatch seeks to build these partnerships while empowering residents to become active custodians of their environment rather than passive victims of recurring floods.

Our Vision

We envision communities where clean drainage systems, responsible waste management, active citizen participation, and innovative technology work together to reduce flood risks and create healthier, safer neighborhoods.

The Kampala-FloodWatch is more than an environmental initiative, it is a movement that demonstrates the power of communities working together to protect lives, strengthen resilience and build a cleaner, more sustainable Kampala. Together, we can transform vulnerable communities into resilient ones, one drainage channel, one neighbourhood, and one community at a time.

Through our advocacy on X, the matter gained public attention and she was later taken to court. Members of our team including lawyers within the organization represented her in court and we also stood as her sureties, leading to her release on bail.

This year we continued supporting the same family through another life changing intervention. Nakirija’s firstborn son Ericson Kasibante, a former student of Mmengo Senior Secondary School emerged as one of the school’s best science students after scoring 18/20. Despite his excellent performance, his dream of joining university seemed uncertain due to lack of tuition and financial support. His story was later shared online as one of many bright students at risk of missing out on higher education because of poverty.

As an organization committed to creating tangible social change by empowering youth and young women, we reached out to Ericson, gave him hope and committed ourselves to supporting his education journey. We are to clear the school arrears he had accumulated and already sponsored his applications. Ericson has since applied to the Makerere University School of Medicine and two other medical schools and we remain hopeful that he will be admitted to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.

At Sisterhood Chain, we believe true impact lies not only in advocacy but also in standing with vulnerable communities, restoring hope and helping young people access opportunities that can transform their futures.