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The massive garbage heap, located in Kiteezi, collapsed under its own weight early Thursday morning, burying several people and livestock. Rescue operations are being led by the police, the Ministry of Works, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), and the Uganda Red Cross Society.
The death toll in the Kiteezi garbage heap collapse has reached 21, with rescue teams continuing the search for four more missing individuals.
Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, confirmed that the recovered bodies have been transported to Mulago City Mortuary.
The identified victims include Nasser, Nuwary Kironde, Sam Kajubi, Meddy Mubiru, Shamon Muhammed, Halima Nakalume, Mulikedete Phiona, a 3-month-old baby of Mukadete, Kasule James, Mukose Emmanuel, Grace (daughter of Anne Maria), Brenda Kawuki, Sharon (housemaid to Brenda), Kikambi Tiful, Jessa Nantege, Nalubega Easter, Whitney Nabulya (3 years old), Kawesa, Lwere Ronald (20 years), Kiyemba, and Kiyemba’s wife.
In response to the tragedy, President Yoweri Museveni directed the State House Comptroller to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased, offering Shs 5 million per person, and Shs 1 million to those injured.
President Museveni emphasized that this support is separate from any potential government compensation that may be issued if a government agency is found responsible for the incident.
In his remarks, Museveni said when he talked to KCCA executive director Dorothy Kisakka, she outlined future plans to generate electricity and produce manure from the garbage. However, Museveni expressed concern over the proximity of human settlements to the garbage heap.
“That, however, does not answer the question of why human settlement was allowed near the heap. I have, accordingly, requested the Deputy IGG, Anne Muhairwe, representing the IGG, to expeditiously investigate the matter and furnish me with the report. In the meantime, I have directed the Prime Minister to coordinate the removal of all the households in the danger zone, in addition to ensuring the recovery, if possible, of the people still buried in the rubbish,” Museveni stated.