At Least 18 Dead Following Landfill Collapse in Uganda

A significant tragedy unfolded on Friday in Uganda’s capital city, as a massive landfill site collapsed, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 individuals, according to the Red Cross. As rescue operations continued, the toll rose, with the Prime Minister of Uganda, Robinah Nabbanja, later indicating that the death count had reached 20. The search for additional victims is ongoing, and further increases in the death toll are anticipated.

The Kiteezi landfill serves as the primary waste disposal site for much of Kampala. The disaster not only claimed lives, but also left 14 others injured, with at least two of the deceased being children, as reported by the Kampala Capital City Authority.

As of Sunday evening, local time, there were reports of four missing individuals, with no new survivors found by the rescue teams, as confirmed by the prime minister’s office through a social media update. The last-minute efforts of the teams searching through the mountainous piles of refuse were hampered by persistent rainfall.

The heavy rains are believed to have contributed to the collapse, which officials indicated was the result of a “structural failure in waste mass.” Irene Nakasiita, a representative of the Uganda Red Cross, noted that the number of fatalities had increased to 18 after more bodies were recovered from the site on Sunday.

“The assessment is not yet completed,” Nakasiita stated, emphasizing the challenges faced by rescue teams in their efforts, which were further complicated by the weather conditions.

The Kiteezi landfill is located on a steep slope in an economically disadvantaged area of the city. It has long been a site where women and children sift through plastic waste for income, and there are homes situated alarmingly close to the landfill.

Kampala authorities have contemplated closing the Kiteezi site and relocating waste disposal to a larger area outside the city. However, plans for this move, which have been in discussions since 2016, have yet to materialize, and the reasons behind these delays remain unclear.

In light of this devastating event, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has called for an inquiry into the collapse. He took to the social media platform X to question why individuals were permitted to reside near such a precarious pile of garbage.

“Who allowed people to live near such a potentially hazardous and dangerous heap?” Museveni queried, stressing that the effluent from the site is toxic enough to warrant serious concern over residential proximity.

The situation at Kiteezi underscores the urgent need for improved waste management and urban planning in Kampala and similar urban areas. The collapse serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers inherent in neglecting proper waste disposal and infrastructure maintenance.

The memories of those who have perished in this incident will linger long after the rescue operations conclude. The community will likely face lasting repercussions as they mourn the loss of lives and address the pressing challenges posed by inadequate waste management.

As the rescue efforts continue and the investigation unfolds, many are left to wonder if this tragedy could have been averted. The catastrophic event puts a spotlight on the critical issues surrounding urban planning, environmental safety, and the need for practical solutions to ensure the protection of vulnerable populations living in precarious conditions.

Authorities and humanitarian organizations are called upon to act decisively to prevent future occurrences and to create safer living environments for communities at risk.

Source: CBS News