A disastrous waste slides that has buried homes and endangered lives has led to the Kiteezi dump in Kampala becoming the epicenter of a massive calamity. The tragedy, which happened late on Friday night, was caused by weeks of nonstop, intense rain, which caused a large pile of rubbish to fall.
The landslide occurred when a huge mound of accumulated rubbish gave way, engulfing residential areas adjacent to the landfill while many were asleep. The 36-acre (14-hectare) Kiteezi landfill, which is the sole waste disposal site for Uganda’s capital city of approximately four million residents, has become a scene of chaos and tragedy.
Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago described the disaster as “inevitable,” highlighting that the potential for such an event had long been anticipated. He expressed concern that “many, many more could be still buried” beneath the debris, reflecting the severity of the situation.
Rescue teams are working tirelessly to search for survivors amidst the debris. As of Monday morning, 21 bodies have been recovered, including four children, while 14 individuals have been rescued. The search operation remains in full swing, with authorities committed to ensuring that no one is left trapped.
According to Kampala police spokesman Patrick Onyango, approximately 1,000 people have been displaced from their homes due to the landslide. The scale of the disaster has prompted an immediate response from local and national agencies.
In response to the tragedy, President Yoweri Museveni has ordered a thorough investigation into how people were allowed to live in such close proximity to the “potentially hazardous and dangerous heap” of waste. He has also mandated the evacuation of residents from what he termed the “danger zone.”
The city authorities have long been attempting to find a new waste management site to replace the Kiteezi landfill, but those efforts have yet to result in a viable solution. The disaster underscores the urgent need for improved waste management infrastructure in Kampala.
The landslide has had a profound impact on the local community, particularly for those who rely on scavenging through the landfill for their livelihoods. Many of these individuals have now lost their homes and sources of income. In response to the crisis, the Uganda Red Cross has stepped in to provide temporary shelter by distributing tents to displaced residents. The community is rallying to support those affected, with emergency relief efforts focusing on providing immediate aid and assessing long-term needs.
The Kiteezi landfill disaster serves as a stark reminder of the critical need for effective waste management and disaster preparedness. As rescue operations continue and investigations proceed, there is a growing call for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future.
