Menvu land to serve as emergency waste disposal area-Lukwago

Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has announced that a consensus has been reached to designate 32 acres of land in Menvu, Busukuma Subcounty, Wakiso District as a temporary dump site.

This decision follows a devastating incident at the Kiteezi Landfill in Kampala early Saturday, where at least 21 bodies have been recovered and 14 others rescued.

Lukwago stated that the decision was made after extensive consultations and brainstorming sessions regarding the city's waste management challenges.

The land, previously acquired by Nansana and Kira Municipalities for landfill purposes, will now address the immediate needs of waste disposal.

He also addressed ongoing concerns about financial mismanagement within the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

"We have agreed to take action against specific KCCA officials responsible for this man-made catastrophe," he said.

He added, "The misappropriation of the Shs 4.1bn  annual allocation for Kiteezi maintenance will be thoroughly investigated and addressed."

The Kiteezi Landfill, the only waste disposal site serving Kampala’s estimated four million residents, experienced a landslide late Friday night, burying nearby houses while residents were asleep.

The disaster followed weeks of heavy rainfall.

President Museveni has ordered an investigation into the proximity of residential areas to the hazardous landfill and has mandated the removal of those in the "danger zone."

By Monday morning, police had retrieved 21 bodies, including four children.

Kampala police spokesman Patrick Onyango reported that 14 people had been rescued and emphasized that the rescue operation would continue until it was confirmed that no one else was trapped. About 1,000 people have been displaced due to the landslide.

Many residents rely on scavenging through the rubbish for items that can be resold. The Uganda Red Cross is providing temporary shelter to those affected.

The Kiteezi landfill, which receives about 1,500 tons of waste daily, has become a source of significant environmental and health concerns for nearby communities.

The waste, combined with contaminated air and polluted water resources, poses serious risks.

The landfill is also home to 800 waste pickers who play a crucial role in sorting and recovering recyclable materials.

Despite their important contributions waste pickers face unhealthy working conditions, low pay, social stigmas, exploitation, and abuse from authorities.