President Museveni fires KCCA officials over Kiteezi landfill disaster

In the aftermath of the Kiteezi Landfill disaster, which claimed 34 lives, President Yoweri Museveni has dismissed several top officials from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) following a scathing report by the Inspector General of Government (IGG).

The IGG report pointed to criminal negligence, leading to the tragic collapse. Exercising his constitutional authority under Article 172 (1) (a) of the 1995 Constitution, the President removed the officials in the public interest.

Among those dismissed are Dorothy Kisaka, the Executive Director of KCCA; David Luyimbazi, the Deputy Executive Director; and Dr. Daniel Okello, the Director of Public Health. According to the President,

“The IGG’s report clearly outlined the severe oversight and negligence exhibited by these officials,” reinforcing his decision to act swiftly.

The Kiteezi disaster has not only sparked national outrage but also confusion over the number of missing persons. Initial reports suggested that 28 people were still unaccounted for, but KCCA Minister Minsa Kabanda recently stated that the number stands at 11.

In addressing the negligence, President Museveni has instructed the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to conduct further investigations into the matter.

“CID and other crime management agencies should thoroughly investigate the matter further, focusing on the angle of criminal negligence associated with this distressing event,” reads the press release.

To ensure the continuity of KCCA’s operations, Museveni has also directed the Public Service Commission to advertise the vacant positions of Executive Director, Deputy Executive Director, and Director of Public Health.

He expects new officials to be appointed within three months, adding, “The Minister for Kampala is tasked with advising the President on interim appointments for these crucial positions to ensure that operations within KCCA continue without disruption.”