Death Toll Hits 18 in Kampala Dump Collapse; Officials Blame Corruption
In a tragic turn of events, the death toll from the devastating landslide at a sprawling garbage dump in Kampala, Uganda, has climbed to 18, authorities reported on Sunday. The disaster, which unfolded in the Kiteezi district after heavy rains triggered a massive collapse, has drawn attention to the perilous conditions surrounding the landfill.
Local media described a scene of horror as homes, people, and livestock were engulfed by towering mountains of waste, with rescue operations hampered by the sheer scale of the devastation. The landfill, a 36-acre site established in 1996, has long been overburdened, receiving nearly 1,500 tonnes of waste daily. Experts had warned that a disaster was imminent.
President Yoweri Museveni, reacting to the tragedy, directed the army’s special forces to assist in the search and rescue efforts, while also ordering an investigation into how residents were allowed to live near such a dangerous site. He announced compensation for the victims’ families, emphasizing the need for immediate relocation of those living in the “danger zone.”
Kampala’s Mayor, Erias Lukwago, who had previously sounded the alarm on the landfill’s safety, expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of life, calling it a “national disaster.” He accused corrupt officials of diverting funds meant for the landfill’s maintenance, exacerbating the situation.
As rescue teams continue to comb through the debris, fears remain that more victims could be buried under the vast heaps of waste. The disaster has sparked a nationwide outcry, highlighting the urgent need for better waste management and stricter enforcement of safety regulations in high-risk areas.
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Death Toll Hits 18 in Kampala Dump Collapse; Officials Blame Corruption
