Kiteezi Camp Closed Two Months After Tragic Garbage Landslide
The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, Lillian Aber, instructed those staying in tents to vacate the area immediately and find alternative settlements.
Two months after the devastating garbage landslide in Kiteezi, which claimed over 30 lives and left many missing, the temporary camp housing the displaced victims has been ordered to close.
The Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness, and Refugees, Lillian Aber, instructed those staying in tents to vacate the area immediately and find alternative settlements.
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The camp had been set up to provide shelter to families whose homes were buried in the August disaster.
The victims had been living in tents with their children and were provided with essential items like food and blankets.
However, during her visit to distribute these supplies, Minister Aber made it clear that the camp must be evacuated by the following day.
"The camp is closed. By tomorrow, no one should be here," Aber stated emphatically, urging the displaced residents to pack up and leave the area.
Many families were seen hastily gathering their belongings as they searched for new places to live.
However, this abrupt move has raised concerns among local landlords, who are now seeking clarity on whether the government will compensate them for the loss of their properties.
Minister Aber reassured those affected that compensation would be provided in due course, stating, "Compensation will come in due time."
Security personnel were deployed to maintain order during the distribution of aid and ensure a smooth transition. In addition to the closure of the camp, Minister Aber announced plans to hold a memorial service for the victims who lost their lives in the landslide, some of whom remain buried under the debris.
"A day of prayer will be organized," she said.
The August landslide led to the summoning of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka and her deputy David Luyimbazi for questioning about the tragedy.
In response to the disaster, the government has awarded a contract to a foreign investor to manage Kiteezi's waste and convert it into electricity and other products, signaling long-term changes for the area.
As the camp closes, the affected families now face the challenge of rebuilding their lives amidst lingering uncertainty over compensation and resettlement plans.
