The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has officially kicked off the decommissioning of the overburdened Kiteezi landfill, almost a year after a deadly landslide at the site claimed 30 lives.
Sharifah Buzeki, KCCA’s newly appointed Executive Director, announced the milestone during a press briefing this week, revealing that Shs 357 billion has been mobilized to begin comprehensive waste management reforms.
“We have started decommissioning Kiteezi, flattening garbage heaps using a USD 1 million grant from the Government of Japan, channeled through UN-Habitat, to address the immediate high-risk zones at the landfill,” Buzeki said.
The initial phase focuses on seven of the landfill’s 39 acres, targeting dangerous steep slopes, controlling leachate, reducing gas emissions, and improving drainage systems.
Located in Wakiso District, the Kiteezi landfill is Kampala’s sole official dumping ground, handling up to 2,000 tonnes of waste daily from the city’s nearly four million residents. Despite warnings about its unsafe condition, the site remained operational until August 2024, when heavy rains triggered a nighttime landslide that buried nearby homes.
Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed at least 30 fatalities, sparking nationwide outrage and leading to criminal investigations.
In October 2024, three former top KCCA officials — Dorothy Kisaka, David Luyimbazi, and Daniel Okello — were arrested and charged with multiple counts including manslaughter and causing grievous harm for neglecting known risks at the landfill.
The Kasangati Magistrates Court later granted bail with strict financial conditions to ensure their court appearances.
Looking beyond immediate repairs, Buzeki revealed that KCCA has acquired a 230-hectare site in Buyala, Mpigi District, earmarked for a state-of-the-art Integrated Waste Management and Resource Recovery Facility
“This new site is a direct response to the longstanding crisis at Kiteezi. It represents a turning point in how Kampala handles urban waste,” she emphasized.
The Buyala facility will incorporate cutting-edge recycling technology, waste-to-energy solutions, and infrastructure aimed at tackling Kampala’s mounting waste challenges while reducing environmental and public health hazards.
With Kiteezi’s closure underway, KCCA is determined to rebuild public confidence, enhance urban sustainability, and pave the way for a cleaner, safer Kampala.
