President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has directed Deputy Inspector General of Government (IGG) Anne Muhairwe to launch a detailed investigation into the circumstances that permitted human settlement near the Kiteezi landfill, which collapsed over the weekend.
The police reported on Sunday that 21 bodies had been recovered, alongside a substantial number of survivors, leading to pressing questions about accountability. In his condolence message to the victims’ families, Museveni revealed that during a discussion with Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, he was informed of various efforts to repurpose waste. However, Kisaka did not address the critical issue of why settlements were allowed near the landfill.
In response to the tragedy, Museveni has instructed Deputy IGG Anne Muhairwe to conduct a swift and thorough investigation and provide a detailed report. He also directed the State House Comptroller to offer financial support to the affected families, allocating Sh.5 million to each family of a deceased individual and Sh.1 million to each person injured in the collapse.
Additionally, Museveni used the opportunity to warn Ugandans about the risks associated with living in hazardous areas such as wetlands, lake shores, riverbanks, and forests, which pose health threats like monkeypox and Ebola. The President has further tasked the Prime Minister with managing the relocation of households from the danger zones and overseeing the recovery of any individuals still trapped under the debris.