Okuku Prince, a 22-year-old rubbish collector in Kampala, Uganda, is still coming to terms with the tragic loss of his best friend, Sanya Kezia. Sanya was one of 30 people who died in a landslide at the Kiteezi rubbish dump last August. This disaster has left a deep mark on Prince, who recalls the heart-wrenching moment when Sanya’s lifeless body was discovered among the debris.
The Kiteezi dump, a massive site that has served as Kampala’s main waste disposal area since 1996, collapsed following weeks of heavy rain. Many of those who worked there, like Prince and Sanya, relied on salvaging valuable items from the waste, such as plastic bottles and fishing nets. The collapse not only claimed lives but also raised serious concerns about safety and negligence among local authorities.
After the tragedy, a blame-game ensued, with city officials and the central government pointing fingers at each other. Some victims remained buried under tons of rubbish for days, waiting for rescue. When Sanya’s body was finally recovered, it was a painful sight for Prince to see his friend covered in waste.
“Unless they fix the dump, people are still in danger here,” Prince said, reflecting on the lack of safety measures. Before becoming a rubbish collector, he was a law student, but financial struggles forced him to abandon his studies.
The Kiteezi dump, which spans over 15 hectares, is designed to handle about 2,500 tonnes of waste generated daily by the city’s residents. However, it lacks proper recycling and sorting facilities, leading to a precarious situation where the bottom layers of waste become unstable. Experts have warned that without proper management, disasters like the Kiteezi collapse could happen again.
While some families of the deceased received compensation, many others who lost their homes during the rescue operations have yet to see any help. Local authorities admit that they are still waiting for funds to assist those affected. Dr. Sarah Karen Zalwango, a health and environment official, mentioned that they are working on plans to address the waste crisis.
Kampala’s Mayor Erias Lukwago has expressed frustration over the lack of support from the central government. He noted that the city has proposed plans to decommission the Kiteezi dump, but the required funding of $9.7 million has not been allocated.
In the wake of the collapse, some officials are now drafting plans to improve waste management, including turning organic waste into compost. However, many feel that these efforts come too late for those who have already suffered. Prince, like many others, is still waiting for the promised compensation and grappling with the loss of his friend.
As the city continues to deal with the aftermath of this tragedy, the need for better waste management and safety measures in Kampala has never been clearer.