In brief
The tragic collapse at Kiteezi dump in Uganda, which killed 30 people including young rubbish collector Okuku Prince's best friend, has highlighted systemic failures in waste management. Despite warnings and ongoing blame between authorities, affected families await compensation while the city grapples with a growing waste crisis.
The Kiteezi landfill in Kampala, Uganda, has become a site of tragedy rather than refuge, following a catastrophic landslide that claimed the lives of thirty people last August. Among the deceased was Sanya Kezia, a loyal friend of 22-year-old rubbish collector Okuku Prince, who struggles to come to terms with the loss. “We’re not safe here. Unless they repair it, people are not safe,” he said, lamenting the uncontrolled conditions amidst the rotting debris.This rubbish dump, a vital source of income for many scavengers, has seen its surrounding community affected profoundly. Kezia's body, recovered from the dump after substantial delay, illustrated the grim reality faced by workers in the face of negligence, unburied long after the tragedy. The landslide followed weeks of heavy rain, exposing the fragility of poor waste management practices in the city.Unemployment rates among youth in Uganda are soaring, pushing many into precarious jobs like that of rubbish collection. With limited opportunities, Okuku Prince is left to earn a meager 10,000 shillings a day, far from his dreams of becoming a lawyer. The collapse has induced further financial hardship, forcing him to relocate due to safety concerns, compounding the struggles of nearly two hundred others left homeless.As authorities wrangle over accountability, no compensation has been provided to those whose homes were decimated during rescue operations. Dr. Sarah Karen Zalwango, the public health head at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), stated they are awaiting budget allocation for necessary reconstruction efforts.Experts assert the recurring crises at Kiteezi could have been prevented with proactive measures and sufficient funding. Urban planner Frank Muramuzi warns against centralizing waste from millions without viable waste treatment solutions, stating, “You can’t take four million people’s waste and dump it in one site.”Despite calls for improvement and accountability, the KCCA struggles with a lack of funds for decommissioning Kiteezi from a dump to a safer facility. Mayor Erias Lukwago has voiced frustration over the insufficiency of central government support to enact needed changes.While discussions emerge to revamp waste management practices, turning organic waste into compost, the accountability of residents remains a challenge. The urgency intensifies for those like Okuku Prince, who mourn lost friends and livelihoods in a space riddled with turmoil, waiting for recognition and change amidst the refuse of a failed system.
