By Ronald Kabuye
In a significant development following the tragic Kiteezi dumpsite collapse on August 10 that resulted in at least 34 fatalities, three former top executives of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have been charged with manslaughter and negligence. The accused—former Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, Deputy Executive Director David Luyimbazi, and Director of Public Health Dr. Daniel Okello—were remanded to Luzira Prison after appearing before Chief Magistrate Beatrice Khainza at Kasangati Magistrate’s Court.
The trio faces a total of thirty-four counts of manslaughter and twenty-one counts of causing harm through rash or negligent acts. They pleaded not guilty to all charges.
According to the charge sheet presented by State Prosecutor Lilian Omara, the prosecution alleges that the catastrophic collapse of the garbage dump, which buried dozens of people and livestock, was a direct result of the accused’s neglect of their responsibilities as KCCA leaders. The prosecution argues that the tragedy could have been avoided if the accused had not allowed the dumpsite to operate under unsafe conditions.
The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has indicated that if the accused are not found guilty of manslaughter, they could face alternative charges related to causing death through negligent acts. The specific omissions cited include operating the Kiteezi dumpsite without the necessary permits, ignoring warnings about potential disasters, allowing continued waste dumping, failing to inform the community of the risks, and neglecting to decommission the landfill before the incident.
The charges allege that these negligent actions occurred between July 2020 and August 10, 2024, in various locations within Kampala and Lusanja in Kiteezi.
During the court proceedings, the state prosecution requested an adjournment to complete ongoing investigations, while the defense team, led by former Buganda Kingdom Premier Apollo Mukubya, sought bail for the accused. However, Magistrate Khainza denied the bail request, stating it was too late for such an application and instructing the defense to file a formal bail application by November 3.
Kisaka, who took office on July 23, 2020, following a recommendation by President Museveni, was dismissed last month and replaced by Rusa as acting KCCA Executive Director. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragic collapse, and further legal proceedings are anticipated as the investigation unfolds.
