The Uganda Police Force and Uganda Red Cross Society, alongside community members, have come out to help in the recovery of bodies of people who lost their lives to the landfill collapse in Kiteezi.

Part of the Kitezi landfills used by the Kampala City Council Authority (KCCA) as a dumping site for the rubbish collected around the city collapsed on homesteads next to it on August 11, 2024, leading to the deaths of several people and leaving many injured.

Authorities including the Uganda Police Force, Ministry of Works and Transport, Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Red Cross Society, and community members swung into action to rescue those who were still alive and recover the bodies of those who unfortunately passed on.

According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, on August 11, 2024, so far 19 bodies have been recovered and the recovery of more bodies is still going on, adding that the police cannot fully ascertain the number of people who are still under the collapse.

“We have so far recovered 19 bodies, but more could still be under there. We are trying our best to make sure that we recover all those who are still under there,” he noted.

Irene Nakasiita, the Red Cross Society spokesperson, said that the Red Cross Society has set up all the necessary infrastructure to support those affected by the landfill collapse.

“We are offering emergency medical services, search and rescue, identifying the dead, and moving them to designated sites. We have also set up emergency shelters and offered psychosocial help to those in need,” she stated.

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, on his official X handle, condemned the issue of allowing people to settle near the rubbish heap and other potentially hazardous and dangerous places like lakeshores and wetlands.

He extended his condolences to the bereaved families and sympathy to the injured. The President further directed the Deputy Inspector General of Government (IGG), Anne Muhairwe, to investigate the matter and make a comprehensive report.

President Museveni also directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to coordinate the resettlement of people in dangerous areas and the UPDF Special Force (SFC) to assist in the rescuing process. Additionally, he directed the State House Comptroller, Jane Barekye, to assist the bereaved families with UGX 5 million while those injured be given UGX 1 million.

“The UPDF Special Force has been directed to assist in the rescue. I have also directed the State House Comptroller to financially assist the families of those who died with Sh. 5 million per person who died and Sh. 1 million per person who was injured. This is not part of the legal compensation that may come from government if any government agency is found to be responsible. May Almighty God rest the souls of our departed people in eternal peace and heal the injured,” he said.

At the time of filing this story, the Deputy IGG had arrived at the scene to ascertain the situation.

The landfill site, known as Kiteezi, has served as Kampala’s sole garbage dump for decades and has turned into a big hill. Residents had for long complained of the hazardous waste polluting the environment and posing a danger to them.