The Tragedy of Kiteezi: Loss and Negligence at Kampala's Rubbish Dump

The Kiteezi landfill disaster in Kampala, Uganda, claimed the lives of 30 individuals, including young rubbish collector Sanya Kezia. As waste management negligence is highlighted, victims like Okuku Prince face the harsh realities of unemployment and inadequate government response, raising questions about environmental and social accountability.

In the heart of Kampala, a devastating landslide at Kiteezi dump took the lives of 30 individuals, including 21-year-old Sanya Kezia, remembered by his best friend, Okuku Prince. The emotional toll and subsequent blame game between the Kampala City Council and central government reveal the stark realities of waste management neglect in Uganda. "I think some people are still underneath the garbage," lamented Prince, who once pursued a legal education before his finances derailed his studies.

Youth unemployment in Uganda has reached alarming rates, pushing many, including Prince, to work in the hazardous environment of rubbish collection for minimal daily earnings. The collapse has exacerbated his circumstances, compelling him to relocate due to safety concerns following the disaster. Despite compensation for the families of those who perished, the ripple effect of the tragedy continues to impact around 200 individuals who lost their homes during the recovery efforts.

Experts express that the Kiteezi landfill's issues are rooted in mismanagement and poor planning. Built in 1996, the landfill has grown and now struggles under the weight of 2,500 tonnes of waste generated daily by the city. Insufficient infrastructure for recycling and inadequate monitoring have made the site even more perilous, leading to calls for systemic reform.

Kampala's urban planner, Frank Muramuzi, argues that neglecting common sense in waste management has placed residents at risk. Calls for improvement have been made, but bureaucratic hurdles and financial constraints hinder progress. "If we were getting adequate funding from the central government, we would be very far right now," lamented Mayor Erias Lukwago, indicating a reluctance by the government to allocate necessary funds for necessary reforms.

Meanwhile, officials at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) are beginning to draft plans to educate the public on waste sorting, hoping to redirect waste management strategies. While residents currently pay private firms for rubbish collection, inadequate sorting leads to increased landfill disposal. As the city grapples with its waste crisis, the promise of compensation and proactive measures may come too late for those like Okuku Prince, who lost friends and livelihoods in the disaster's wake.

The reality on the ground forces the community to confront not only the tragedy of lost lives but a system standing on shaky foundations, highlighting the urgent need for reform in Kampala's waste management practices. As Prince reflects on his friend’s death, lamenting, "We lost our friend. All that transpired in the process was sorrow," there remains a collective call for accountability to prevent further losses.