Sacked KCCA executives detained, expert weighs in on broader crisis

The recent detention of sacked Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) executive director Dorothy Kisaka, her deputy David Luyimbazi, and Director of Public Health, Dr. Daniel Okello, has reignited national attention on the Kiteezi landfill tragedy that claimed at least 35 lives.

The trio, now held at the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) headquarters in Kampala, faces charges of criminal negligence. According to the police, they will soon be arraigned in court following their questioning.

The deaths occurred when a massive pile of garbage at Kiteezi landfill collapsed onto nearby homes, burying residents in a horrifying disaster. While the immediate accusations focus on negligence in waste management, urban planning experts warn that the issue runs much deeper than individual accountability.

A Structural Problem, Not Just a Managerial One

Speaking to our correspondent, urban development analyst Dr. Joseph Byaruhanga suggests that blaming only KCCA leaders oversimplifies the problem.

“Yes, these officials might have had lapses in oversight, but the Kiteezi tragedy is symptomatic of a larger failure in Kampala’s waste management and urban planning systems. The landfill has been overburdened for years, and the population growth around it was neither planned for nor properly regulated.”

Byaruhanga adds that the landfill’s location—situated near residential areas—was an accident waiting to happen. “Kiteezi has been exceeding its capacity for years, and local authorities have been aware of the risks but failed to take decisive action.”

Ignoring Early Warnings

The landfill, which began operations as a temporary solution, has turned into a long-term hazard. Concerns about its safety have been raised multiple times, including by environmentalists and local residents. Yet, no lasting interventions were made.

“Several reports and warnings were ignored. This isn’t just criminal negligence; it’s a failure of long-term strategic planning. If the public sector doesn’t change its approach to waste management and urbanization, we are going to see more disasters like this,” Byaruhanga warns.

Ms. Kisaka, who took over KCCA leadership in 2020, had only been in office for four years before being dismissed by President Museveni following an investigation by the Inspector General of Government (IGG). Critics, however, argue that the dismissal of Kisaka, Luyimbazi, and Okello may be an attempt to scapegoat individuals for systemic issues.

The government has yet to outline concrete steps for avoiding a repeat of the Kiteezi disaster, aside from the arrests and the pending court charges. As Kampala’s population continues to grow, experts like Byaruhanga emphasize the need for comprehensive waste management reforms and better enforcement of zoning laws.

With the trio’s detention signalling the beginning of legal proceedings, the focus now shifts to court—but for many, the root cause of Kampala’s urban hazards remains far from resolved.

“If we only punish individuals and don’t address the structural failings, we will be having this conversation again in a few years,” Byaruhanga concluded.