Tragedy at Kiteezi Dump: A Young Life Cut Short and the Call for Change

The Kiteezi landfill disaster in Kampala, Uganda, claimed the lives of 30 individuals, including a close friend of Okuku Prince. As investigations reveal a pattern of mismanagement and negligence, the plight of rubbish collectors and community demands for accountability and improved waste management practices are highlighted.

Fighting back tears, 22-year-old rubbish collector Okuku Prince recalls the moment he discovered the lifeless body of his best friend, Sanya Kezia, at the Kiteezi rubbish dump in Kampala, Uganda. This devastating landslide, which occurred last August, tragically took the lives of 30 individuals, including Sanya, leaving many families without closure and forcing some to remain buried under layers of rubbish.

Okuku expressed his anguish, noting, "I think some people are still underneath the garbage." The people at Kiteezi often support themselves by scavenging for items that can be cleaned and resold, from plastic bottles to electronic components. Following the collapse, a blame-game erupted, with local government and city officials pointing fingers over negligence while some victims lay unrecovered.

When the authorities finally unearthed Sanya’s body, the grim sight of his injuries deeply affected Okuku. He argued, "We're not safe here. Unless they repair it, maybe level it. Otherwise, people are not safe." Once a law student with dreams of a brighter future, Okuku now survives on meager earnings from rubbish picking, as the high youth unemployment rate in Uganda drives many into perilous work just to make ends meet.

Unable to afford his tuition following a financial crisis in his family, Okuku now earns approximately 10,000 shillings per day (about $2.70) collecting recyclable materials. The tragedy has exacerbated his financial situation, forcing him to leave his home near the dump due to safety concerns. While some compensation has been offered to families of the deceased, about 200 displaced individuals are still waiting for aid.

Dr. Sarah Karen Zalwango, from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), acknowledged that local authorities are currently evaluating the situation, yet there are calls for more immediate action. Urban planner Frank Muramuzi highlighted longstanding issues: "You can't take four million people, get all that waste... to one dumping site." Kiteezi, originally built in 1996, is now overwhelmed, receiving 2,500 tonnes of waste daily, and lacks necessary recycling and sorting facilities.

As waste decays, conditions worsen, leading to an increased risk of further collapses. To address the failure, regular monitoring and environmental assessments are crucial. However, underlying issues such as political power struggles and financial mismanagement hinder progress. Despite numerous proposals for decommissioning Kiteezi, the KCCA has struggled to obtain necessary funding from the central government.

The government did allocate minimal compensation for victims’ families, stating that further payments would depend on proving negligence. Following a police investigation, three senior KCCA officials were dismissed, signaling a shift in accountability.

In response to challenges in waste management, the KCCA is drafting plans for organic waste transformation and community engagement in sorting waste. Yet, for many affected, including Okuku Prince, these efforts may come too late, as he remembers his friend and the sorrow that engulfed the community after the disaster. "They promised us compensation, but I haven't received anything - almost everyone is complaining too," he lamented. "We lost our friend. All that transpired in the process was sorrow."