Former Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, her former deputy David Luyimbazi, and Dr. Daniel Okello, the former Director of Public Health, have been charged with manslaughter following the deadly collapse of the Kiteezi landfill in August 2024, which claimed 35 lives.
The charges were read on October 18, 2024, at Kasangati Chief Magistrates Court.
The case has drawn significant national attention as it shines a spotlight on the failures of public officials in safeguarding citizens from preventable disasters. On October 16, 2024, Kisaka, Luyimbazi, and Okello were summoned to the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) for questioning.
Following hours of intense interrogation, the trio was detained on accusations of criminal negligence in connection to the landfill disaster. They spent the night in police custody as investigations into their roles in the tragedy continued.
The collapse of the Kiteezi landfill, one of Kampala’s largest waste disposal sites, unleashed a wave of national outrage. It exposed deep-rooted issues surrounding the city’s waste management and infrastructure safety.
For years, Kiteezi had been a ticking time bomb, with numerous warnings raised about its hazardous conditions and dangerous proximity to residential areas. Despite these warnings, no substantial action was taken to address the site’s safety concerns, culminating in the disaster.
According to police spokesperson ACP Rusoke Kituuma, the former KCCA officials’ failure to act on the red flags was a critical factor in the tragic loss of life. “Their failure to act, despite warnings, caused the deaths of 35 people. This is a clear case of negligence, and the court will now decide their fate,” Kituuma said.
The prosecution is building its case on evidence that the officials ignored warnings about the landfill’s stability, failed to obtain necessary permits, and neglected to decommission the site. The trial is expected to proceed in the coming weeks, with further hearings scheduled. If convicted, the officials face severe penalties, including imprisonment, for their alleged negligence that cost so many lives.
This trial could set a critical precedent for how public servants are held accountable for failures in infrastructure and environmental management. It also raises critical questions about the efficacy of Kampala’s waste management policies and the broader challenges of urban planning in a rapidly expanding city.
The Kiteezi disaster is a stark reminder of what happens when authorities ignore safety concerns, and the outcome of this trial could have far-reaching implications for both governance and environmental policy in Uganda.
