Published on 18/09/2024
The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, has called on the government to update Parliament on its plans for managing waste in Kampala. He expressed concern over the growing heaps of garbage in the city following the closure of the Kiteezi landfill, which has left the waste without a proper disposal site.
“KCCA reports that Kampala generates between 2,000 and 2,500 metric tons of waste daily, but there is currently no place to dispose of it. They attempted to relocate waste management to Wakiso and Mukono, but neither has worked out. As a result, you’ll find garbage piling up across the city. We need to know the government’s plan before we face another disaster, such as a cholera outbreak,” Ssenyonyi stated during a plenary session.
His remarks supported a previous concern raised by Ethel Naluyima, Wakiso Woman MP, who urged the Office of the Prime Minister to provide a comprehensive update on compensating the victims of the Kiteezi landfill collapse and addressing the area’s drainage system, which has led to the leakage of contaminated water beyond the buffer zone.
Naluyima highlighted that, “The victims of the Kiteezi landfill collapse were promised compensation, but no progress has been made. Additionally, foul water from the landfill is now threatening nearby homes. We need a clear government plan to remove the garbage and clear the drainage system. Bodies remain buried in the collapsed landfill, and this situation needs urgent attention.”
In response, Rukia Nakadama, the Third Deputy Prime Minister, informed Parliament that the Cabinet had discussed these issues earlier in the week. She requested the Deputy Speaker to allow the Minister for Kampala to provide a full update on Thursday.
The Kiteezi landfill collapsed on August 10, 2024, resulting in the recovery of 35 bodies, with 16 survivors. However, the exact number of missing persons remains contested, with the government reporting 11 while local leaders claim the figure is closer to 28.
The collapse came after a warning in January 2024 by Dorothy Kisaka, Executive Director of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), who informed Parliament that UGX 220 billion was required to develop a new landfill in Ddundu. Only UGX 216 million was provided, leaving a shortfall of UGX 219.78 billion. Kisaka also requested UGX 4.5 billion for the procurement of garbage trucks, which remains unfunded in the 2024/25 national budget.
