Tragedy at Kiteezi: The Human Cost of Uganda's Waste Management Crisis

As Uganda grapples with rising youth unemployment and neglect of basic municipal needs, a tragic landslide at the Kiteezi landfill has claimed lives and highlighted systemic failures in the country's waste management policies.

Fighting back tears, Okuku Prince, a 22-year-old rubbish collector in Kampala, recounts the moment he found his best friend, Sanya Kezia, lifeless under a mountain of waste at the Kiteezi dump. The landslide, which occurred last August, claimed 30 lives and left behind a trail of grief and anger.

"I think some people are still underneath the garbage," Mr. Prince told the BBC, as he struggles with the memory of the disaster that occurred during heavy rains. The precarious conditions at the dump have raised serious safety concerns, with Prince fearing for his life every day as he scavenges through the waste. Many like him rely on collecting and selling discarded items to survive.

The aftermath of the landslide saw a blame-game unfold between Kampala's city council and the central government, with both parties accusing each other of negligence while families mourned their dead without proper burials. Even when Kezia's body was recovered, it was a sobering sight for Prince, who once envisioned a future in law before financial instability forced him into a life of scavenging.

Youth unemployment remains a pressing crisis in Uganda as economic hardship pushes many to abandon their aspirations for stability. "I collect polythene bags, take them for washing, and sell them," lamented Prince, explaining how he earns just 10,000 shillings ($2.70 or £2.10) a day. The landslide's impact exacerbated his situation, forcing him to relocate from his home due to ongoing safety fears.

While families of the deceased received some compensation, approximately 200 displaced residents, including those whose homes were destroyed during rescue operations, remain in limbo as local officials wait on budget allocation for their reparations. Dr. Sarah Karen Zalwango, head of public health and the environment at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), acknowledged the need for a valuation process.

Urban planner Frank Muramuzi stated that the disaster was a consequence of long-standing negligence regarding waste management practices.

"The Kiteezi landfill is not equipped for the volume of waste the city generates," he explained. "The structural integrity of the site has weakened, resulting in catastrophic landslides." Built in 1996 with World Bank funding, the dump was intended to serve as a major waste repository but has become a hazardous zone as Kampala has expanded.

Each day, residents produce approximately 2,500 tonnes of waste, much of which ends up at Kiteezi's overloaded site, lacking necessary recycling or incineration facilities.

"Without proper management, the situation can only worsen," Mr. Muramuzi warns. However, political struggles and financial mismanagement prevent the implementation of effective long-term solutions.

KCCA Mayor Erias Lukwago admits his office lacks authority for needed reforms, highlighting the inadequacy of central government funding. The local administration has proposed decommissioning the landfill but lacks the necessary $9.7 million for the task.

The government has responded with limited compensation for families of the deceased but has avoided discussing broader systemic responsibility. A police investigation led to the dismissal of three senior KCCA officials, but for many, that is far from enough.

James Bond Kunobere, Kampala's solid waste management officer, acknowledges the disaster must lead to change. Authorities are drafting plans for composting organic waste and reducing unnecessary waste, but shifting public attitudes towards waste sorting is a challenge.

Experts emphasize that dividing waste can lead to more effective disposal, yet for daily wage workers like Prince, the promise of change feels delayed and insufficient. "We lost our friend. All that transpired in the process was sorrow," he expressed, voicing the collective grief of a community grappling with loss amidst ongoing neglect.