KCCA warns of potential further collapse amidst rain fears
With fears of further instability heightened by the threat of rain, Kisaka is urging immediate evacuation.
More than a week after the devastating collapse of the Kitezi landfill claimed 35 lives and left 28 missing, the KCCA Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaka, has issued a dire warning to residents still near the site.
With fears of further instability heightened by the threat of rain, Kisaka is urging immediate evacuation.
Kisaka acknowledged the difficulty of abandoning belongings, including land and housing, but stressed that life is more important. She urged the remaining people to vacate the buffer zone immediately.
During a visit to a camp housing families who lost loved ones and homes in the tragedy, Kisaka offered condolences and assured survivors of continued support.
A special prayer service was held to commemorate the victims.
Over 300 people have sought refuge at Kitezi Church of Uganda Primary School. Kisaka, along with other officials, including area MP Nkunyingi Muwada and the Lord Mayor's representative, John Mary Ssebuwufu, visited the site to provide aid and offer words of encouragement.
Muwada emphasized the importance of maintaining a 200-meter safety distance from the landfill. Ssebuwufu highlighted the need for compensation for displaced residents with legal land titles.
John Mary Ssebuwufu, representing the Kampala Lord Mayor, criticized Entebbe leaders for refusing to accept waste from other areas, calling their actions inhumane.
This accusation underscores the deep-rooted problem of waste management in Uganda's urban centers.
The collapse of Kitezi is not an isolated incident. Uganda has a history of landfill-related disasters, reflecting a systemic problem.
Unsanitary conditions, pollution, and disease outbreaks are common in many urban areas due to inadequate waste disposal.
Addressing this crisis requires a comprehensive approach, including investment in modern waste management infrastructure, stricter regulations, public awareness campaigns, and intergovernmental cooperation.
The Kampala-Entebbe dispute serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced in managing waste in Uganda.
