The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Katonga faction has called for a new approach to solid waste management in the greater Kampala metropolitan area, following the recent tragedy at the Kiteezi landfill.

The faction spokesperson and Kira Municipality MP, Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, made these remarks during an interview on local radio on August 13, 2024.

Ssemujju said that there is a need for the construction of at least two modern landfills to handle the huge challenge of solid waste in Kampala, stressing that with Kampala and Wakiso being almost one city, a single landfill will not be able to accommodate the garbage from both areas.

He has advised the government to opt for a public-private partnership approach that will provide resources and expertise to set up a modern solid waste management system.

Ssemujju also emphasized the need to relocate people living near the Kiteezi landfill to safer places.

“Of course, money cannot buy life, but our demand is that people who have lost their loved ones be adequately compensated, the victims be resettled, and the whole neighborhood needs to be relocated to safer places,” Ssemujju stated.

The FDC deputy secretary of publicity, Waleed Molindwa, emphasized that the comprehensive and sustainable solution can bring about a much-needed change in Kampala’s solid waste management.

Kiteezi landfill was opened in 1996 as a small dumping site, and in 2001, it was upgraded to an engineered facility since it is on a steep slope in an impoverished part of the city.