The former Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials have been sent on remand to prison on charges of manslaughter and negligence.
Dorothy Kisaka, the former KCCA Executive Director; Engineer David Luyimbazi, the deputy Executive Director; and Dr. Daniel Okello, the former Director of Public Health and Environment, were on Friday, October 18, 2024, arraigned before the Kasangati Magistrate’s Court presided over by Chief Magistrate Beatrice Kainza, who read them charges including manslaughter and negligence.
The trio and others still at large were charged with manslaughter and 57 other counts, among them causing death by rush or negligent act. These stem from their alleged negligence in managing the Kiteezi landfill that resulted in a disaster; however, they pleaded not guilty.
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According to the charge sheet, Kisaka, Luyimbazi, Okello, and others still at large stand accused of manslaughter under Section 171 of the Penal Code Act.
The court document outlines that between July 2020 and August 2024, the officials neglected their duties related to the Kiteezi landfill’s management, leading to the deadly collapse on August 10, 2024.
The prosecution further noted that the accused failed to obtain relevant permits and licenses for the landfill’s continued operation, failed to close or decommission the site despite warnings of an impending threat to life and property, and continued dumping large volumes of waste at the landfill.
Additionally, they are accused of failing to cause evacuation or warn the neighboring community of the possible danger of the garbage slide, which ultimately resulted in the death of more than 35 people when a large mass of garbage collapsed, burying nearby homes.
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Regardless of the accused asking for bail, the prosecutor asked them to apply formerly. They have been remanded to Luzira prison until November 4, 2024.
The accused arrived at Kasangati Magistrate’s Court at around noon to take plea on charges regarding the Kiteezi tragedy, which led to the death of over 35 people, displacement, and property damage.
The officials in question who were detained on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, following summons to appear at the CID headquarters in Kibuli, Kampala, as confirmed by the Uganda police spokesperson, ACP Kituuma Rusoke, were on Thursday, October 17, 2024, escorted in a police drone from Kira police station, where they spent the night in custody to their homes, under heavy deployment for home search.
“The above have appeared at the @CID1_UG headquarters today, October 16, 2024, and engaged with our team,” he noted.
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The embattled bosses were sacked by President Museveni after the Inspector General of Government’s (IGG) report on the landfill disaster was released, outlining the severe oversight and negligence exhibited by the officials.
Kisaka assumed office on July 23, 2020, after being recommended by President Museveni and approved by the Public Service Commission following Jennifer Musisi’s resignation.
According to the KCCA Act 2011, Kisaka was overseeing the delivery of quality services within Kampala city, promoting order and trade in the city, managing the authority’s public funds, and providing technical advisory to the authority.
