A tragic incident occurred at the Kiteezi landfill in Kampala, Uganda, claiming the lives of at least 18 people, including children. The collapse, which took place late Friday, was attributed to heavy rainfall and a “structural failure in waste mass” according to the Kampala Capital City Authority. The landfill, serving as a waste disposal site for a large portion of Kampala, has been a source of concern for years, with authorities considering its closure and the development of a larger disposal site outside the city.
The collapse occurred on a steep slope in an impoverished area of the city. The site is frequented by women and children who scavenge plastic waste for income, and some homes have been built in close proximity to the landfill. The presence of residents near the unstable waste heap has raised serious questions about safety and environmental hazards.
The Ugandan Red Cross, involved in the rescue and recovery efforts, confirmed the death toll reached 18 after additional bodies were retrieved on Sunday. The search efforts are hampered by ongoing rainfall.
Following the tragedy, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni ordered an investigation into the incident, expressing his concern about the presence of residential areas near the hazardous site. He questioned how people were allowed to live in such close proximity to the unstable garbage heap and highlighted the environmental dangers posed by the site’s effluent.
