NATIONAL | The Chief Magistrates Court in Kasangati has served three former top officials of the capital Kampala with the dreaded holiday ticket to the lakeside national detention facility, Luzira.
At about 6.30pm, Chief Magistrate Beatrice Kainza told Ms Dorothy Kisaka, the former Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), her deputy David Luyimbazi, and director for public health Daniel Okello that it was too late fpr her court to attend to bail applications.
The defence team was left fuming in frustration by the decision that sees the three officials booked to cool it off at Luzira Prison until November 4, accusing the State of playing delaying tactics.
The irony of their frustration was stark. Two months ago, the three officials could have been accused of the very same delays when they allegedly received a report warning of imminent danger at Kiteezi Landfill but failed to implement decisive action.
The trio was delivered to the Kasangati court by midday but they could only be arraigned before Kainza at 4pm.
Kisaka, Luyimbazi and Okello face a total of 57 charges - 35 counts of manslaughter and 22 of causing grievous harm - for their alleged fatal failure to act and avert tragedy at the Kitezi landfill.
At least 32 people were killed and scores of others injured when tonnes of garbage in Kiteezi landfill crushed onto their homes in August, the Kasangati Chief Magistrates Court heard.
According to the state, between July 2020 and August 10, 2024, the former KCCA officials failed in their duties by allowing the continued operation of the Kitezi landfill without the necessary permits and licenses.
They are also accused of ignoring multiple warnings about the imminent risk of a disaster, including the potential for a garbage slide, and failing to decommission the landfill or take action to protect nearby communities.
The charges further allege that the officials did not evacuate or warn residents of the impending dangers, nor did they take timely steps to address the potential risk of loss of life.
These omissions and acts of negligence, according to the state, directly contributed to the disaster that caused both fatalities and injuries.
During the court session, Kisaka, Luyimbazi, and Okello all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Magistrate Kainza reiterated the presumption of guilty until the State proves its case against the suspects and urged them to file formal applications for their bail with both the court and the State.
The remand completes a pattern involving high-profile officials in recent times. It all starts with CID summons and a quick siren-filled drive to Kira Division Police or Nateete where VIP holding cells await.
A search on homes and charges before a court of law follow before a trip to prison on remand to prison completes the ordeal - a tough reminder of the yoke of leadership.