Tragedy Strikes as Landslide at Ugandan Garbage Dump Claims 18 Lives
A devastating landslide at a massive garbage dump in Kampala, Uganda, has claimed the lives of 18 people, leaving families in mourning and authorities scrambling to rescue those still trapped beneath the wreckage. The disaster, which has been described as a "national catastrophe" by local officials, has also left hundreds displaced and many more facing an uncertain future.
The tragedy unfolded on Saturday when heavy rainfall caused a massive collapse at the 36-acre Kiteezi landfill, engulfing homes, people, and livestock in mountains of waste. The Kampala Capital City Authority, which operates the dump, had previously warned of the risks associated with the site, but to no avail.
President Yoweri Museveni has ordered an investigation into the disaster and has demanded to know why people were allowed to live so close to the potentially hazardous site. The President has also directed the army’s special forces to assist in the search and rescue operation, and has vowed to provide financial support to the victims’ families.
Kampala mayor Erias Lukwago has accused corrupt officials of misappropriating funds meant for the maintenance of the landfill, leading to the disaster. The landfill, which was established in 1996, receives over 1,500 tons of waste daily, making it one of the largest in the country.
As rescue efforts continue, residents in the affected area are left to grapple with the aftermath of the disaster. "Many, many more could be still buried in the heap as the rescue operation is ongoing," Lukwago told AFP.
The tragedy is the latest in a series of devastating mudslides in the region, which has been battered by heavy rainfall in recent weeks. In neighboring Ethiopia, similar disasters have claimed hundreds of lives in the past month.
As the people of Uganda and Ethiopia struggle to come to terms with these disasters, it is clear that there are significant lessons to be learned about the importance of waste management and disaster preparedness in these areas.
