Tragedy Strikes Uganda: Massive Garbage Landslide Claims 35 Lives
Recent torrential rains in Uganda have led to a devastating landslide at the Kiteezi landfill on the outskirts of Kampala, resulting in the loss of at least 35 lives. The landslide, triggered by a large chunk breaking off the waste mountain, engulfed homes in a residential area.
Kampala mayor Erias Lukwago declared the incident a “national disaster,” emphasizing the risks associated with overflowing waste at the site. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has promised financial compensation to the victims’ families, acknowledging the grave oversight that allowed people to live near such a hazardous area.
The landfill, an essential waste disposal site in Kampala, has long been a point of concern for residents due to environmental pollution and safety issues. Proscovia Nabafu, one of the affected residents, expressed frustration over the lack of support and urgency in finding new homes for those displaced by the tragedy.
Efforts are underway to manage the waste crisis in Uganda, with calls for a thorough investigation into the disaster and the need for a sustainable long-term solution to prevent similar incidents in the future.