Tragedy at Kampala's Kiteezi Dump: A Call for Reform

The catastrophic collapse at Kiteezi dump exposed systemic failures in waste management in Kampala, Uganda. Local rubbish collectors, including survivors like Okuku Prince, mourn the loss of friends and demand government accountability while grappling with inadequate safety measures and lingering financial distress.

Fighting back tears, 22-year-old rubbish collector Okuku Prince recounted the horror of discovering the lifeless body of his best friend Sanya Kezia amid the debris of the Kiteezi dump, a site that became infamous after a landslide last August claimed the lives of 30 people. “I think some people are still underneath the garbage,” Prince shared with a heavy heart.

For many of the poor in Uganda, the dump has become a life source, as individuals sift through discarded materials in search of valuable items such as fishing nets, plastic bottles, and electronic components. The tragic event triggered a turbulent blame-game between Kampala's city council and the Ugandan government, each accusing the other of negligence, while dozens of victims still lay beneath tons of refuse.

Weeks of torrential rain preceding the collapse exacerbated the already precarious conditions of the Kiteezi landfill, which has served as a dumping ground for nearly three decades. Experts, including urban planner Frank Muramuzi, argue that the disaster was preventable—highlighting the flawed waste management practices that have been ignored for years. “You can't take four million people’s waste and dump it in one site,” he stated.

The catastrophic event has profoundly affected Prince, who had abandoned his law studies at the Islamic University of Uganda due to the financial strain on his family. "Now I make just 10,000 shillings [$2.70 or £2.10] a day collecting polythene bags," he explained. As a further consequence of the landslide, many like him have been displaced from their homes, continuing to navigate the harsh realities of youth unemployment and inadequate public safety.

While compensation payments were made to families of those who died, around 200 individuals displaced by the landslide still await appropriate reparations. Authorities claim they are in the process of valuing damages but have yet to deliver the needed funds to those affected. Dr. Sarah Karen Zalwango, head of public health and the environment at Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), confirmed this delay, citing budgetary constraints.

As the Kiteezi landfill has expanded over the years without proper monitoring and infrastructure, the accumulation of trash has created dangerous conditions. “Without vents, methane and other gases remain trapped at the bottom,” explained Muramuzi, noting that feeble governance and financial mismanagement underlie the landfill's operational failures.

Despite local leaders like Mayor Erias Lukwago pushing for change, the KCCA finds itself limited due to lack of funding from the central government, which has not yet committed to providing necessary resources for significant upgrades to the waste management system. The government has pledged only minimal compensation to families affected by the collapse, dismissing further claims unless negligence is established.

James Bond Kunobere, solid waste management officer for Kampala, recognizes the imperative for reform. Current initiatives to recycle and manage organic waste aim to improve the situation, yet inadequacies in the broader waste management strategy remain unaddressed. “If you sort, waste has different destinations. If you mix, it all goes to one— the landfill," he cautioned, emphasizing the need for behavioral change among residents.

As the community continues to mourn their lost friends and grapple with the aftermath of the landslide, many express skepticism about whether real change will come. “They promised us compensation, but I haven’t received anything,” lamented Prince. “We lost our friend. All that transpired in the process was sorrow."