The Civil Division of the High Court in Kampala has ordered Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to compensate Rebecca Mayanja Nalule with UGX 35 million for injuries sustained after she fell into an uncovered manhole along Jinja Road in 2018. Justice Musa Ssekaana ruled that the compensation would also carry a 15% annual interest until fully paid, with KCCA required to cover all legal costs.
The court found KCCA negligent in its responsibility to maintain public infrastructure, which led to the incident near the Rugby Grounds opposite Shoprite. Nalule filed a lawsuit in 2020, claiming that KCCA had failed to either cover the manhole or alert pedestrians of the hazard, despite its statutory duties.
Nalule’s lawyer, Nicholas Ssenkumbi, argued that KCCA had breached its obligations under the Kampala Capital City Act, which mandates the authority to maintain roads, drainage systems, and public lighting. He highlighted that KCCA’s negligence put pedestrians at risk, resulting in life-altering injuries for Nalule.
In its defense, KCCA denied the existence of the open manhole at the time of the incident, insisting that all manholes in the area were properly secured. KCCA also argued that Nalule did not report the accident immediately and lacked credible evidence to support her claims.
However, the court dismissed these assertions, holding KCCA accountable. “KCCA had an obligation to ensure the safety of its infrastructure. Their failure to cover the manhole or provide adequate warnings to the public constitutes negligence,” ruled Justice Ssekaana.
The judgment acknowledged inconsistencies in Nalule’s medical evidence, as she initially sought treatment at a pharmacy instead of a hospital. Despite this, the court noted the evidence sufficiently established that her injuries stemmed from the fall.
This case highlights growing concerns over the safety of Kampala’s infrastructure. In a related 2021 ruling, KCCA and the government were found responsible for endangering lives by failing to address unsafe roads, drainage channels, and related hazards. That judgment followed the death of a vendor swept away by stormwater in Nakawa Division.
The latest decision reinforces calls for KCCA to prioritize public safety and address recurring issues with infrastructure maintenance.