Kampala — Business ground to a halt in some parts of Kampala as a hailstorm pounded the city early afternoon yesterday, trigerring off massive flooding and traffic jams.

Many road users, mostly pedestrians, were left stranded and some vehicles damaged. A Corsa car, UAL 348U, which was damaged when a tree fell on it, was among the many that suffered that fate across the city. The most affected areas were Shopprite supermarket on Jinja Road, Meat Packers on Port Bell Road and most parts of the 6th and 7th streets. Mukwano Road, Ndeeba, Ssembule and Nateete also flooded.

On 7th Street, most business premises could not be accessed, forcing workers to scoop out water with buckets. "We cannot conduct business; we only have to see how to clear the way for the water," Peter Wasike said. Most people complained about the "pathetic state of Kampala city roads" and called on the Government to work on the drainage. "If they do not, the NRM party will not get votes in Kampala," said a man who called himself Senyonga.

On Jinja Road, sewage gushed out near Gapco fueling station. Experts warned of more flooding, and blamed the problem on the destruction of wetlands in Kampala.