Tragedy in Kampala: Death Claims Result from Landfill Collapse

 

Police reports from Sunday confirm that at least 21 people have died in Uganda's capital, Kampala, after a massive landfill collapse late Friday. Following heavy rains, the Kiteezi landfill—Kampala's main waste disposal site—gave way, triggering a catastrophic landslide that buried nearby residents and scavengers under tons of debris.

In addition to the high death toll, 14 others were injured, and the number of casualties is expected to rise as rescue efforts continue. The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) reported that at least two children were among the deceased.

While the exact cause of the collapse is still under investigation, initial reports from city authorities suggest that "structural failure in the waste mass," likely exacerbated by recent heavy rainfall, was a key factor. The Kiteezi landfill, situated on a steep hill in a poor area of Kampala, has long been a hazardous site, with many locals living nearby and scavenging plastic waste for income.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesman Patrick Onyango stated that 21 bodies have been recovered from the site. He expressed concern over the possibility of additional fatalities, noting that efforts are ongoing to accurately assess the affected population. "We are still in communication with local authorities, who are providing varying figures. Our teams are working closely with bereaved families and local leaders to verify the numbers," Onyango said. He emphasized the importance of cross-referencing information with the Uganda Bureau of Statistics to determine how many people were at the landfill when it collapsed.

Kampala officials have long been troubled by the Kiteezi landfill's growing instability. Since 2016, there have been discussions about closing the site and opening a larger, safer waste disposal facility outside the city, but progress has been slow, and the reasons for the delays remain unclear.

In response to the tragedy, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ordered an immediate investigation. He expressed his frustration and concern over the safety of Kampala's residents, questioning why people were allowed to live so close to an unstable landfill in a series of posts on the social media platform X.

The collapse of the Kiteezi landfill underscores the urgent need for improved waste management and safety measures in rapidly growing urban areas. As the city mourns its lost citizens, the disaster raises critical questions about urban planning, environmental safety, and the responsibilities of local governments in protecting vulnerable communities.