Kampala faces disaster post-landfill collapse - Lukwago

Lukwago warns of Kampala's vulnerabilities following the Kiteezi landfill disaster, urging urgent government action to prevent future tragedies.

The recent disaster at the Kiteezi landfill has sent shockwaves across Kampala, leading the city’s Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, to issue a stark warning about the future of Uganda’s capital.

Lukwago has urgently called on the government to reallocate funds to address critical, yet unfunded, priorities in Kampala.

He cautioned that without swift action, the city could become a "death trap."

The Kiteezi landfill, once Kampala’s primary waste disposal site, is now out of commission following a catastrophic collapse that caused significant damage and loss of life.

This disaster has not only created an immediate garbage disposal crisis but has also highlighted broader infrastructural vulnerabilities that, if left unaddressed, could result in even greater tragedies.

It has been a week since the Kiteezi landfill disaster shocked the nation. Located in Wakiso District on the outskirts of Kampala, the landfill had been the city's primary dumpsite for over two decades.

However, the site had long exceeded its capacity, with environmental and structural concerns raised repeatedly over the years.

Despite warnings from environmental experts and city officials, little was done to mitigate the risks.

The collapse, triggered by heavy rains, led to a landslide of waste that buried nearby homes and claimed lives.

This incident has drawn widespread criticism of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) and the government for their perceived negligence in addressing the known risks.

Lukwago's Call to Action

In a press briefing earlier this week, Lukwago did not mince words when describing Kampala's dire situation.

He warned that the Kiteezi disaster is just the "tip of the iceberg" and that without significant intervention, similar or even worse incidents could occur in the future.

"The city will remain dysfunctional if we do not prioritize the urgent needs that have been consistently overlooked," Lukwago stated.

He urged the government to reconsider its budgetary allocations and divert funds from less critical areas to address the pressing infrastructure needs of Kampala.

One immediate concern highlighted by Lukwago is the acquisition of alternative land for waste disposal.

With the Kiteezi landfill now unusable and the proposed site at Dundu facing opposition and logistical challenges, the city is in a state of crisis regarding waste management.

Lukwago suggested that the funds initially allocated for the expansion and maintenance of Kiteezi should now be redirected to secure and develop a new landfill site that meets modern environmental and safety standards.

Government and KCCA Under Fire

The aftermath of the Kiteezi disaster has put both KCCA leadership and the national government under intense scrutiny.

Critics argue that the tragedy was a "man-made disaster" that could have been avoided with better planning and responsiveness to the longstanding warnings.

Lukwago echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the loss of life and property was not just a result of natural forces but also of systemic failures.

He called for accountability and urged the government to take immediate steps to prevent future disasters.

In addition to waste management, Lukwago pointed out other critical areas requiring urgent attention, such as drainage systems, road maintenance, and upgrading slum areas vulnerable to environmental hazards.

He warned that without comprehensive infrastructural development, Kampala’s growing population and urbanization would only increase the risks of more catastrophic events.

As Kampala faces this critical juncture, the decisions made in the coming weeks and months will determine the city’s future.

Lukwago’s warnings serve as a clarion call for action—a reminder that the consequences of inaction could be devastating.

The city’s residents, already grappling with the immediate aftermath of the Kiteezi disaster, now look to their leaders for solutions that will ensure a safer, more sustainable future for Kampala.