The death toll from the landslide at a massive garbage dump in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, has tragically risen to 21, with rescue operations still ongoing. The disaster occurred late on Friday when a large section of the Kiteezi landfill site, the city’s only garbage dump, collapsed after weeks of heavy rain, burying nearby homes while residents were asleep.
Government Responds to Tragedy
In response to the disaster, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has directed the immediate relocation of all residents living near the landfill. The government has also launched an investigation into the cause of the landslide, with a commitment to take action against any officials found negligent. The Inspectorate of Government announced on social media platform X that those responsible will face consequences.
The police have so far rescued at least 14 people, but the number of those still trapped under the debris remains unknown. Red Cross teams have established temporary shelters for those displaced by the landslide, providing immediate relief to affected families.
Longstanding Issues at Kiteezi Landfill
The Kiteezi landfill, which has served as Kampala’s primary garbage dump for decades, has long been a source of concern for residents. The site, which had grown into a towering hill of waste, has been the subject of complaints regarding hazardous materials and environmental pollution. Despite these warnings, efforts to procure a new landfill site have been stalled for years, leaving the city vulnerable to such tragedies.
This incident in Uganda echoes similar disasters across Africa, where poorly managed waste sites have led to significant loss of life. In 2017, a garbage landslide in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, claimed at least 115 lives, while a similar incident in Maputo, Mozambique, in 2018 resulted in 17 deaths.
The landslide in Kampala highlights the urgent need for better waste management and infrastructure improvements in growing urban areas. As rescue workers continue to search for survivors, the focus now shifts to preventing such tragedies in the future. The Ugandan government faces pressure to expedite the relocation of residents and secure a new, safer landfill site for the capital.
This disaster serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by inadequate waste management systems, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions. The international community and local authorities must work together to address these challenges and ensure the safety of vulnerable populations living near such hazardous sites.
Source: ReutersÂ
