Tragedy at Kiteezi Dump: Kampala’s Rubbish Crisis Exposed**

The recent tragedy at Kiteezi landfill, which resulted in multiple fatalities, uncovers the dire state of waste management in Kampala, sparking a blame game among officials while victims seek justice and compensation.**

Fighting back tears, 22-year-old rubbish collector Okuku Prince vividly recalls the horrifying moment he discovered his best friend's lifeless body deep within the Kiteezi dump, a sprawling rubbish site in Kampala, Uganda. This tragic incident, which occurred during a landslide last August, claimed the lives of 30 individuals, including Prince's close friend, Sanya Kezia. "I believe many are still buried beneath the trash," he shared with deep sorrow.

Many of the victims were scavengers, reliant on their finds at the dump to survive. They salvaged anything of value they could, from plastic bottles to metal scraps, to sell or repurpose. In the aftermath of the landslide, a blame game ensued between Kampala’s city council and the central government, both pointing fingers over alleged negligence while the deceased remained unburied beneath mounds of waste.

"It was horrifying," Prince recalls of the moment authorities finally unearthed Kezia's body to reveal injuries that scarred her face. As he reflects on his perilous new daily routine, which starkly contrasts his former academic life studying law, he is haunted by the loss of his friend while lamenting the dangers the dump presents.

Youth unemployment remains a harrowing concern in Uganda, prompting young people like Prince to risk their health for meager earnings—just 10,000 shillings (approximately $2.70) a day. The collapse forced him to relocate due to safety fears, exacerbating the financial strain on his already precarious lifestyle.

While compensation has been promised to the families of the deceased, local authorities revealed that around 200 victims who lost their homes have yet to receive any aid. "We are still waiting for budget allocation and valuation," Dr. Sarah Karen Zalwango, head of public health at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), conveyed to the BBC.

Urban planners and locals argue the unfortunate events at Kiteezi were rooted in long-term neglect and poor management. "You can't take four million people’s waste to one site," posited Frank Muramuzi, an urban planner who advocates for holistic waste management. The Kiteezi landfill, operational since 1996, now struggles to handle the approximately 2,500 tonnes of waste generated daily.

Kiteezi lacks essential facilities like recycling and sorting operations, leading to dangerous conditions as organic waste decays, creating methane gas hazards and weakening the landfill's foundation. With calls for reform echoing in the community, the local government faces challenges with budget constraints that hinder urgent action.

KCCA Mayor Erias Lukwago highlighted funding issues, indicating that reliance on international aid does not equate to sustainable solutions. Meanwhile, leadership changes and blame-shifting hinder progress, leaving many residents feeling abandoned while coping with the grief of lost lives and homes.

In this moment of communal despair, officials emphasize raising public awareness regarding waste segregation to alleviate the burden on the dumps. However, for those whose lives have been upended, such plans appear insufficient. "Promises of aid have gone unfulfilled," grieved Prince. "We lost our friend, and all we have left is sorrow."

As Kampala grapples with these tragedies and systemic issues, the call for immediate action in waste management has never been clearer, for the people of this city are relying on change to avoid further calamities.