A tragic landfill collapse in Uganda has claimed the lives of at least 20 people, highlighting the dangers of waste management practices and the urgent need for improved safety measures.
Authorities in the East African nation reported on Sunday that a landslide at a waste disposal site in Kampala, Uganda’s capital, resulted in the deaths of 21 individuals. Among those killed was an infant just three months old.
On Friday night, due to continuous heavy rain for weeks, a massive heap of trash at the Kiteezi landfill- known as the singular dumping spot in town – crashed. While sleeping soundly during this incident, residents living on the perimeter were crushed and buried under mounds of debris states Reuters news agency.
According to a statement by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), a part of the landfill collapsed due to structural problems with waste accumulation. At present, 14 individuals have been saved and transported to hospitals as confirmed in KCCA’s recent announcement on Saturday.
According to AFP, around 1,000 people were compelled to evacuate their homes on Sunday as reported by Kampala police representative Patrick Onyango. He stated that the rescue mission is continuing until they are positive no one remains trapped.
Coordination with authorities is being done by the Uganda Red Cross Society to provide humanitarian assistance and emergency shelter tents have been set up for displaced families.
Every day, the Kiteezi landfill situated on a 14-hectare land in use for almost thirty years receives around 1,500 tons of garbage gathered from different parts of Kampala.
According to local reports, hazardous waste has been a persistent issue for residents in the vicinity. The authorities had earlier announced plans to shut down the facility by 2016 and relocate it outside of the city limits, but financial constraints have caused delays in this process as stated by David Luyimbazi- Deputy Executive Director of KCCA.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni tweeted on Sunday via X (formerly Twitter), directing an inquiry into the occurrence and questioning who permitted individuals to reside within close proximity of a potentially unsafe and perilous pile.
The Ugandan minister of state for disaster preparedness, relief, and refugees named Lilian Aber has recommended that individuals residing in the “risky gazetted area” should collaborate with the government and comply with temporary resettlement measures while policymakers determine future arrangements.
