President Yoweri Museveni has expressed his condolences to the families of those who tragically lost their lives in a landslide at Kiteezi, a suburb of Kampala, on Saturday.
The incident occurred when part of a massive rubbish heap in the area broke off, burying several nearby residents. The President’s statement raises critical questions about the circumstances leading to the tragedy and the safety protocols in place.
In his address, Museveni questioned how people were permitted to live in such a hazardous area, noting the health dangers posed not only by the landslide but also by the effluent from the rubbish heap.
“Even without peeling off and burying people, the effluent alone must be hazardous to health,” he said.
He compared the Kiteezi rubbish heap, which contains a mix of plastics and other waste, to traditional refuse heaps made from organic material, emphasizing the heightened risk.
President Museveni revealed that he had spoken with Dorothy Kisakka, who informed him about earlier attempts to relocate the rubbish heap to Dundu. However, Dundu residents opposed the move, opting instead to explore ways to utilize the waste for generating electricity and other purposes. Despite these efforts, the President pointed out that the fundamental issue remains unresolved: why human settlement was allowed so close to the hazardous site.
In response to the disaster, Museveni has tasked Deputy Inspector General of Government (IGG) Anne Muhairwe with conducting an immediate investigation into the matter.
He also directed Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to coordinate the evacuation of households from the danger zone and ensure the recovery of those still buried under the debris.
The President’s statement also served as a broader warning to Ugandans about the dangers of settling in hazardous areas, such as wetlands, lakeshores, riverbanks, and forests, which can expose them to various risks including landslides, floods, and diseases like Ebola and monkeypox. Museveni criticized both technical and political figures who encourage such settlements, calling them “enemies” of the people.
The Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) Special Forces have been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts. Additionally, the President has directed the State House Comptroller to provide financial assistance to the families of the victims, with UGX 5 million allocated per deceased person and UGX 1 million for each injured individual. He clarified that this support is separate from any legal compensation that may arise if a government agency is found liable for the disaster.
President Museveni concluded his statement by praying for the souls of the deceased and wishing a speedy recovery to the injured. The tragedy has sparked renewed calls for stricter enforcement of safety regulations in Uganda’s rapidly urbanizing areas.
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