By Kabuye Ronald
In a devastating incident early Saturday morning, eight people have been confirmed dead and 14 others rescued following a catastrophic collapse at the Kiteezi Landfill in Kampala.
The tragedy, which has prompted a major rescue operation, occurred in the early hours, leading to an urgent response from multiple government agencies and local community members.
State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees, Ms. Lilian Aber, visited the scene to assess the damage and extend her condolences to the affected families. “We are committed to working relentlessly alongside emergency response teams to ensure that we move faster and rescue our people,” Ms. Aber stated. She, along with other leaders and security personnel, held an emergency meeting on-site to coordinate the response efforts.
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) worked in conjunction with the Uganda Police, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry for Disaster Preparedness, the Red Cross, and local residents to evacuate the survivors. The 14 rescued individuals have been transported to Mulago and St. Steven hospitals for urgent medical treatment.
The KCCA confirmed the death of eight individuals, including six adults and two children. While the cause of the collapse has not yet been determined, investigations are underway to determine if a structural failure in the waste mass contributed to the incident. The collapse also impacted nearby homes and livestock, with damage assessments and area monitoring currently ongoing to prevent further incidents.
In statement KCCA assured the public that efforts are being made to secure the area and ensure the safety of the community.
This incident follows earlier warnings from Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago about the health hazards associated with the Kiteezi Landfill, which receives approximately 1,500 tons of waste daily and supports around 800 waste pickers critical to the city’s waste management system.
