Police have provided the identities of the 21 dead bodies that have so far been retrieved at Kiteezi landfill. On Saturday, the Kiteezi landfill collapsed, leading to the death and injury of people and cattle. Property was also destroyed.
Since the incident, Police, the Uganda Red Cross, the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Works, and KCCA have been on a rescue mission.
According to the Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson, Patrick Onyango, so far, 21 dead bodies have been retrieved and taken to the City Mortuary Mulago.
The names of those retrieved are: 1. Nasser 2. Nuwary Kironde 3. Sam Kajubi 4. Meddy Mubiru 5. Shamon Muhammed 6. Halima Nakalume 7. Mulikedete Phiona 8. 3-month-old baby of Mukadete 9. Kasule James 10. Mukose Emmanuel 11. Grace, daughter of Anne Maria 12. Brenda Kawuki.
Others are: 13. Sharon, housemaid to Brenda 14. Kikambi Tiful 15. Nantege Jesca 16. Nalubega Easter 17. Whitney Nabulya, 3 years old 18. Kawesa 19. Lwere Ronald, 20 years old 20. Kiyemba 21. Wife to Kiyemba.
On Sunday, President Yoweri Museveni expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and addressed the broader issues surrounding the disaster.
“This is to convey condolences to the families of the people who died yesterday as a consequence of part of the rubbish heap at Kiteezi (orubuungo) peeling off (kubeguka) and burying people who were living nearby,” Museveni said.
The President questioned how such a situation was allowed to occur in the first place, highlighting the dangers associated with living near a landfill.
“Who allowed people to live near such a potentially hazardous and dangerous heap?” he asked, noting that even without the collapse, the effluent from the landfill posed a significant health risk to those nearby. He drew parallels to traditional refuse heaps, which, despite being organic, were still considered hazardous.
Museveni ordered an investigation into the matter, tasking the Deputy Inspector General of Government (IGG), Anne Muhairwe, with leading the inquiry.
He has also instructed the State House Comptroller to provide financial assistance to the families of the victims, offering Sh5 million per deceased person and Sh1 million per injured person. The President clarified that this financial aid is separate from any legal compensation that may be forthcoming if a government agency is found responsible for the disaster.
