The death toll from a landslide at a vast rubbish dump in Uganda’s capital Kampala has risen to 21, police said on Sunday, as rescuers continued to dig for survivors. After heavy rain, a chunk of rubbish from the city’s landfill crushed and buried homes as residents slept.
President Yoweri Museveni has initiated the removal of residents near the landfill. Investigations into the cause of the landslide are ongoing, with plans to hold negligent officials accountable.
Rescuers have saved 14 people so far, with many more potentially trapped. The Red Cross has set up tents for the displaced, confirming around 1,000 people affected. The Kiteezi landfill, now full, has been a hazard for residents for years.
The tragedy underscores the dangers posed by poorly managed waste sites in Africa. Previous disasters in Ethiopia and Mozambique serve as a reminder of the risks associated with inadequate waste disposal.
Additional reporting by Agence France-Presse