Uganda: 18 dead after landslide at dump
Lukwago described the incident as a "national catastrophe" and blamed corrupt officials who had diverted funds meant for the landfill's maintenance.
The landslide at the massive waste dump in the northern part of Uganda's capital, Kampala, was triggered by heavy rainfall on Saturday morning. Media reports indicate that houses, people, and animals were buried by the waste. Kampala's city administration initially reported eight deaths.
The 14-hectare Kiteezi landfill, which has been receiving almost all of Kampala's collected waste since 1996, was overfull, according to Mayor Lukwago. He warned of health hazards for residents and described the situation as a "national crisis" as early as January.
Uganda's President Yoweri Museveni deployed special army units to assist in the rescue operation. He questioned who had allowed people to live near such a "dangerous pile." Museveni also announced that he had ordered payments to the families of the victims. Five million Ugandan shillings (around 1190 euros) will be paid for each fatality, and one million shillings for each injury.
The initial report of eight deaths at the landslide site has since increased due to the devastation, leading to a significant number of deaths. The national crisis at the Kiteezi landfill, as described by Mayor Lukwago, has unfortunately resulted in numerous fatalities.
