Landslide At Uganda Rubbish Dump Kills At Least 18 People

A tragic landslide at the Kiteezi rubbish dump in Kampala, Uganda, has killed at least 18 people.

The disaster happened after heavy rain caused a huge pile of trash to collapse. The landslide hit while residents were asleep, burying homes, animals, and people under tons of debris.

Authorities announced the rising death toll on Sunday, two days after the landslide. Initially, eight deaths were reported, but the number has gone up as rescue teams continue their work. Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango confirmed that 14 people and several animals have been saved. Rescue teams are still searching for more survivors, and the number of casualties may increase.

About 1,000 people have been displaced by the disaster. The Uganda Red Cross has set up tents nearby to provide temporary shelter for those affected. Authorities are working with various agencies to help the displaced families.

Kiteezi has been Kampala’s main landfill for many years, turning it into a large, unstable hill of waste. Residents have long been worried about pollution and safety issues. Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago said that the landfill was already full, and such a disaster was expected.

This tragic event highlights a bigger problem across sub-Saharan Africa, where poorly managed dumps can lead to deadly landslides. In 2017, a similar disaster in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killed at least 115 people. Maputo, Mozambique, also faced a landslide in 2018 that resulted in 17 deaths.

The ongoing rescue efforts and the need for better waste management are crucial as Kampala and other cities work to prevent future tragedies.