Kiteezi Garbage Tragedy: How 34 Deaths Led KCCA Officials to Luzira Prison

The Kiteezi garbage tragedy was a catastrophic event that shook the nation, leaving 34 people dead and many others seriously injured. This horrifying incident not only exposed the harsh realities of inadequate waste management but also unveiled glaring accountability gaps within local government. 

As investigations unfolded, it became clear that the negligence of key Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials played a critical role in the disaster. What began as a preventable failure in managing the city's waste spiraled into a national crisis, culminating in the arrest and eventual imprisonment of former KCCA executives in Luzira Prison.

Three former senior administrators of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) were charged with manslaughter and carelessness which on August 10, resulted in the rubbish fall at the Kiteezi dumpsite, which killed at least 34 people and injured numerous more in the Wakiso District. They were subsequently transferred to Luzira Prison.

The trio, including former Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, Deputy ED David Luyimbazi and Director Public Health Dr Daniel Okello Friday appeared before Kasangati Magistrate’s Court Chief Magistrate Beatrice Khainza who read to them the thirty-four charges of manslaughter and twenty-one counts of causing harm by rash or negligent. They, however, denied the charges. 
According to the charge sheet presented by State Prosecution led by Lilian Omara, it is alleged that the garbage collapse wouldn’t have happened had the accused not neglected their duties as KCCA bosses at the time masses of waste buried dozens of people and livestock at the dumpsite managed by KCCA.

In the alternative that the accused are not found guilty of manslaughter, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), prefers a charge of causing death by doing rush and negligent acts when Kisaka and her colleagues through a series of omissions continued to operate the dumpsite.
The omissions include operating the Kiteezi dumpsite without relevant permits, failing to take immediate action when warned against looming disaster, continuously permitting waste dumping at the site, failure to warn the community against a likely tragedy and failure to decommission the landfill prior to August 10.

The DPP contends that Kisaka, Luyimbazi and Okello committed the offences between July 2020 and August 10, 2024, in various places of Kampala and Lusanja in Kiteezi.
State Prosecution further told the court that investigations in the matter are still ongoing and sought an adjournment to allow the conclusion of investigations.

On Friday, a legal team led by former Buganda Kingdom premier Apollo Mukubya sought to apply for bail; however, the trial chief magistrate denied the request, stating it was too late. "The defense should file a formal application for bail and serve the state by November 3. The accused are hereby remanded," Magistrate Khainza ruled.

After being recommended by President Museveni and accepted by the Public Service Commission, former KCCA head Kisaka assumed office on July 23, 2020. However, he was fired last month following the Kiteezi Garbage Tragedy.