A fire has broken out at the Kiteezi landfill in Wakiso District, authorities confirmed on Tuesday evening, prompting an urgent response from firefighters and local residents battling to contain the blaze.
Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Faridah Buzeeki confirmed the incident, saying efforts were underway to extinguish the inferno.
It is not yet clear what caused the fire or whether there have been any casualties, though the site remains under close monitoring.
This development comes less than a year after a tragic incident at the same landfill in August 2024, where a section of the garbage heap collapsed, burying dozens of waste pickers and informal workers.
The disaster claimed more than 30 lives and sparked public outcry over long-standing safety concerns at the overburdened waste management facility.
Following the tragedy, investigations were launched, leading to the prosecution of several former top KCCA officials on charges of negligence and abuse of office.
They were accused of ignoring safety warnings and failing to implement emergency management protocols, despite repeated alerts from environmental experts and local leaders.
The landfill, which serves as the primary dumping site for Kampala’s solid waste, has long operated beyond its designed capacity, with chronic issues of poor waste segregation, leachate overflow, and uncontrolled human activity.
Today’s fire raises new concerns about the safety of the site and the effectiveness of recent interventions meant to rehabilitate and decongest the landfill. Residents in surrounding areas have also expressed fears over possible air pollution and health risks posed by toxic smoke from the burning waste.
KCCA is expected to issue a comprehensive statement as investigations into the cause and extent of the fire continue. Emergency services remain on high alert as the situation develops.
Details to follow...