The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has blamed the Kampala Capital Authority (KCCA) and the Ugandan government for mismanaging the Kiteezi landfill that has claimed the lives of innocent Ugandans after the deadly collapse on Saturday morning, August 10, 2024.
Walid Mulindwa Lubega, the Deputy Secretary of Publicity in charge of publications and documentation at FDC, revealed that KCCA and the government failed to address the issue of the landfill reaching full capacity in 2015, putting the lives of nearby residents at risk. He stated that the incident is a stark reminder of the consequences of neglecting public safety and environmental concerns.
“We urge the government to provide immediate humanitarian support to the affected individuals, including the provision of shelter and food, psychosocial support, relocation, and resettlement of those living near the landfill,” Lubega said.
He also called for a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collapse and measures to prevent such tragedies in the future.
While addressing members of the press at party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Lubega recommended the immediate closure of Kiteezi landfill to prevent further risks, the development of a comprehensive waste management system, the implementation of efficient waste collection and disposal methods, investment in modern waste-to-energy technologies, and promotion of recycling and composting initiatives, among others.
Meanwhile, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, the spokesperson of the FDC Katonga faction, also tasked the government to compensate all victims of Kiteezi’s deadly collapse.
Erias Lukwago, the Kampala Lord Mayor, blamed the central government for keeping a deaf ear to the report that the KCCA provided, stipulating the possible tragedy.
“We presented a damming report about the catastrophe, and I want to tell President Museveni to stop being reactionary because if he meant well, we wouldn’t have this tragedy,” Lukwago said.
Two days after the devastating collapse of the Kiteezi landfill, multiple government agencies have joined forces with the Uganda Police and Red Cross in the ongoing search and recovery operation. The police said that over 21 people have so far been reported dead.
