KCCA Outlines Strategic Plan for Sustainable Waste Management Amidst Kiteezi Landfill Crisis

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has issued a detailed statement addressing the catastrophic waste slide at the Kiteezi Landfill, which claimed 35 lives, injured many, and displaced hundreds of residents.

The disaster, which occurred on August 10, 2024, is one of the most tragic incidents in Kampala's recent history, with 44 homes destroyed and over 350 people seeking refuge at an emergency response center.

The waste slide has brought to light the longstanding challenges of waste management in Kampala, particularly at the Kiteezi Landfill, which has been operating far beyond its intended capacity.

According to KCCA, the landfill has been in use since 1996 and exceeded its capacity by 2013. Despite this, it remained in operation due to the lack of alternative waste disposal sites, a situation that has now culminated in this disaster.

In response to the tragedy, President Yoweri Museveni provided a condolence package of UGX 5 million to each bereaved family and UGX 1 million to each survivor.

The Office of the Prime Minister is leading the disaster response, providing food, mobilizing excavators, and fueling ongoing excavation efforts.

The Church of Uganda and Kiteezi Primary School have also stepped in, offering shelter to the displaced.

KCCA Highlights External Constraints

KCCA's statement emphasizes that the situation at Kiteezi has been shaped by numerous external factors beyond their direct control.

These include inadequate funding, rapid population growth, and encroachment on the landfill’s buffer zone.

KCCA has been unable to decommission the landfill and relocate operations to a new site due to these constraints, despite efforts dating back to 2014.

The authority outlined its continuous efforts to manage the risks associated with the overburdened landfill, including public awareness campaigns and advisories issued to the local community.

However, these measures proved insufficient against the magnitude of the waste slide, which was further exacerbated by recent heavy rains.

Improved Waste Management

In their statement, KCCA expressed their commitment to ensuring future waste management strategies are more robust, including exploring new technologies to convert waste into energy and other usable forms.

They acknowledged the urgent need for sustainable waste management solutions in Kampala, particularly in light of the city's rapidly growing population, which now stands at over 2.5 million.

The authority also called for renewed efforts to secure funding and support for the decommissioning of Kiteezi and the establishment of a new landfill, which has been delayed due to opposition from local residents in Ddundu, Mukono.