Kampala, Uganda – A devastating landslide at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) landfill in Kiteezi has claimed the lives of over 10 people, with many more feared trapped. The disaster occurred on Saturday morning when a structural failure in the waste mass caused a section of the landfill to collapse, burying several homes and trapping residents underneath.
Rescue efforts are ongoing, with emergency services working tirelessly to recover those trapped and provide aid to affected families. The cause of the structural failure remains unclear, and authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
“The level of damage is still being assessed,” said KCCA.
The public is calling for an investigation into circumstances under which authorities allowed residential houses to be erected near the landfill.
Hundreds of people were rendered homeless and the communities around the landfill live with contaminated air, scattered waste and leachate.
Water resources for drinking and domestic purposes have become polluted.
“Our teams, along with other government agencies are on ground taking the necessary measures to ensure the area is secure and to prevent any further incidents,” said KCCA.
“We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the community.”
Most of the waste collected in Uganda’s capital city finds its way to the Kiteezi landfill site.
Despite the low collection levels throught the city, an estimated 1,500 tons of waste is brought to the landfill every day.
The Kiteezi landfill is one of the largest waste management facilities in Kampala, serving the city’s growing population. The tragedy has raised concerns about waste management practices and the safety of communities living near landfills.
As the rescue efforts continue, the death toll is expected to rise according to the local authorities.
