Landslide at Kampala Landfill Claims 12 Lives
A landslide at a large landfill in Uganda’s capital, Kampala, has claimed the lives of at least 12 people. The tragic incident occurred at the 36-acre (14-hectare) Kiteezi dump site, the sole landfill serving the city’s estimated population of four million.
The disaster, which struck late Friday night after weeks of relentless rainfall, has left rescuers working tirelessly to search through the debris for any remaining survivors.
Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago called the landslide “a disaster waiting to happen,” as city officials have been attempting to secure a new site for the landfill for many years.
The massive accumulation of waste at Kiteezi eventually gave way, causing a hill of garbage to collapse and bury several houses on the outskirts of the site while residents slept. Initial reports on Saturday confirmed eight deaths, including two children. By Sunday, police spokesman Patrick Onyango announced that four more bodies had been recovered, bringing the total to 12, while 14 people had been rescued.
Onyango emphasized that the rescue operations would continue until there is certainty that no one remains trapped beneath the rubble. He also noted that around 1,000 people have been displaced by the landslide, though it is unclear how many lived on or near the landfill.
The site has long been a source of livelihood for many who scour the rubbish for items to resell. In the wake of the landslide, the Uganda Red Cross has stepped in to provide temporary shelter to those left homeless by the disaster.
