Museveni orders probe and relief after Kiteezi landfill tragedy

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has described the recent tragedy at the Kiteezi landfill, where part of a massive rubbish heap collapsed and buried nearby residents, as “a wake-up call” for all Ugandans.

Expressing his deep condolences to the families affected, the President called for an immediate investigation and swift relief efforts.

“This is to convey condolences to the families of the people who died yesterday as a consequence of part of the rubbish heap at Kiteezi peeling off and burying people who were living nearby,” he stated. “The first question that comes to mind is: Who allowed people to live near such a potentially hazardous and dangerous heap?”

President Museveni expressed serious concerns about the dangers posed by living in close proximity to large waste dumps like Kiteezi.

“Even without peeling off and burying people, the effluent alone must be hazardous to health,” he warned, emphasizing that the modern waste heap, filled with plastics and other non-biodegradable materials, is far more dangerous than traditional organic refuse piles.

The President recounted a conversation with Dorothy Kisakka, who shared that there had been plans to relocate the landfill to Dundu. However, residents in Dundu resisted the move, preferring instead to find ways to positively utilize the waste for electricity generation, manure production, and plastic recycling.

“That, however, does not answer the question of why human settlement was allowed near the heap,” Museveni pointed out.

In response to the disaster, President Museveni has ordered Deputy Inspector General of Government (IGG), Anne Muhairwe, to lead an expedited investigation into the circumstances that led to people settling near the landfill. “I have requested the Deputy IGG to expeditiously investigate the matter and furnish me with the report,” he said.

Additionally, the President has directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to coordinate the removal of households from the danger zone and oversee the recovery of any individuals still buried in the debris. “I have directed the Prime Minister to co-ordinate the removal of all the households in the danger zone, in addition to ensuring the recovery, if possible, of the people still buried in the rubbish,” he instructed.

He also used this incident to underscore the broader risks of settling in hazardous areas. “This should educate Ugandans about the dangerous areas such as wetlands, lakeshores, or the river banks, in the forests where they get in touch with monkeys and bring monkey-pox and Ebola to us, etc.,” he cautioned, adding, “People who encourage such settlements are, actually, their enemies.”

The President has deployed the UPDF Special Forces to assist in rescue operations and has instructed the State House Comptroller to provide financial assistance to the affected families.

“I have directed the State House Comptroller to financially assist the families of those who died with Shs 5 million per person who died and Shs 1 million per person who was injured,” Museveni announced, clarifying that this is separate from any legal compensation that may arise if a government agency is found responsible.