Rising Death Toll in Uganda’s Garbage Landslide Tragedy

The death toll from the devastating garbage landslide in Kampala has risen to 30, following the recovery of six additional bodies, including two children. The catastrophic incident, which occurred on Saturday at the Kiteezi landfill in the northern district of Kampala, has not only claimed lives but also buried homes and livestock under a mountain of refuse.

The Uganda Police Force confirmed the new casualties on Wednesday, stating that the recovered bodies included a three-year-old boy and a six-year-old girl. Earlier reports had put the death toll at 26, with 39 people still unaccounted for. Among those missing are 35 local residents and four garbage collectors. The search and rescue efforts are ongoing, despite the challenging conditions, including heavy rains that have hampered the use of excavators and other equipment.

Kampala metropolitan police spokesman Patrick Onyango reported that several dozen people are still missing. The disaster, which has been described as a “national disaster” by Kampala City Mayor Erias Lukwago, has left a significant portion of the Kiteezi landfill buried under tons of waste. The landfill, operational since 1996, receives almost all of Kampala’s garbage and has long been a source of concern due to its hazardous nature.

The landfill’s collapse followed a period of heavy rainfall, exacerbating the conditions and leading to the tragic landslide. The Uganda Police Force has indicated that 120 individuals have been displaced and are currently sheltering in a nearby school. Additionally, 33 homes are believed to have been engulfed by the massive pile of refuse.

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President Yoweri Museveni has intervened in the crisis, directing the army’s special forces to assist in the search and rescue operation. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Museveni expressed his dismay over the situation, questioning why residents were allowed to live near such a dangerous site. He announced that families of the deceased would receive compensation of five million Ugandan shillings ($1,300) for each fatality, while those injured would receive one million shillings ($270).

The response from the authorities, however, has been met with criticism from local residents and leaders. Abubaker Semuwemba Lwanyaga, a community leader, has expressed frustration over the lack of proactive measures to mitigate the risks associated with the landfill. He argues that the government should have relocated residents from the hazardous area and provided compensation before the disaster occurred.

The Kiteezi landfill disaster is part of a broader pattern of severe weather events impacting the East African region. Recently, Ethiopia experienced devastating landslides in its southern mountainous areas, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 250 people. Additionally, Uganda has faced similar tragedies in the past, including a mudslide in the Mount Elgon region in February 2010 that claimed over 350 lives.

The Kiteezi landfill collapse highlights the urgent need for improved waste management practices and disaster preparedness in Uganda and across East Africa. The response to this crisis will likely prompt renewed scrutiny of environmental and safety regulations, aiming to prevent such tragedies in the future.

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As the search for survivors continues, the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and communities. The disaster serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of addressing environmental hazards and ensuring the safety of vulnerable populations in disaster-prone areas.