The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has appealed to the government to compensate victims of the Kiteezi landfill tragedy who lost relatives and property, among others.
According to John Kikonyogo, the FDC party spokesperson, the government did not do enough to prevent the Kiteezi tragedy after it failed to execute supervisory work on the organs responsible, such as the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
“Government and KCCA failed to stop garbage collection at Kiteezi even after being warned of the limited space in the area. After some time, the people witnessed the tragedy. So who caused the tragedy? The government should compensate people,” Kikonyogo said.
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While addressing the media on Monday, October 14, 2024, at FDC party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kikonyogo said that the Kiteezi tragedy was not a natural hazard like a mountain eruption but happened due to negligence.
“The UGX 2 million the government has given to victims of Kiteezi is so little in the current economy. It would be better if the government provided land where those victims should settle temporarily as they draft a clear plan of compensating the victims. I know if the people of Kiteezi leave those tents to rent houses, the government will forget them,” Kikonyogo said.
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The Kiteezi tragedy was a devastating landslide that occurred on August 10, 2024, in Wakiso district at a rubbish dump site, killing over 35 people, leaving others homless, and destroying property.
However, the government has since carried out investigations that resulted in the sacking of the KCCA Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaka. The government further promised to improve waste management and compensate the affected families.
The Kiteezi tragedy, however, highlights the need for better waste management practices, regulation of scavenging activities, and emergency preparedness in Uganda.
