By 
Kampala – The death toll from a landslide at a vast garbage dump in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, has risen to 21, police confirmed on Sunday, as rescue workers continue to search for survivors.
The disaster occurred late Friday after weeks of torrential rain caused a massive mound of garbage at the city’s only landfill site to collapse.
The landslide crushed and buried homes situated on the edge of the site, trapping residents as they slept.
In a statement reported by Reuters, President Yoweri Museveni said he had directed the prime minister to oversee the relocation of all residents living near the garbage dump.
He also announced that the government had launched an investigation into the cause of the landslide and vowed to take action against any officials found to have been negligent.
The Inspectorate of Government reiterated the government’s commitment on social media platform X, stating that tents had been set up for those displaced by the landslide, and that the investigation into the disaster was underway.
Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, reported that at least 14 people had been rescued so far, though it is unclear how many more may still be trapped beneath the debris.
The landfill, known as Kiteezi, had served as Kampala’s sole garbage dump for decades and had grown into a large hill.
Residents had long voiced concerns about hazardous waste polluting the environment and posing significant risks to the community.
Efforts by city authorities to procure a new landfill site had been delayed for years.
This tragedy was not unique to Uganda, as poorly managed municipal garbage dumps have led to similar deadly incidents elsewhere in Africa.
WARNING! All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.
Comments