A devastating landslide at Kampala’s main landfill has resulted in 13 confirmed deaths, with rescue teams still searching for survivors, police reported on Sunday.
The disaster occurred late Friday when a portion of the city’s sole garbage dump gave way, burying homes on the landfill’s periphery during the night.
Earlier estimates had pegged the death toll at eight, but the number has since risen as rescue operations continue, according to police spokesperson Patrick Onyango. At least 14 people have been saved, but the total number of those still trapped remains uncertain.
The Uganda Red Cross has set up tents for the displaced individuals affected by the disaster. The Kiteezi landfill, a longstanding waste site for Kampala, has been criticized by residents for its environmental hazards and the risks it poses to nearby communities.
Efforts to establish a new landfill site have been stalled for years, and similar disasters have occurred elsewhere in Africa due to poorly managed waste sites. Notable past tragedies include a 2017 landslide in Ethiopia that claimed 115 lives and a 2018 disaster in Mozambique resulting in 17 deaths.
Recent heavy rains in Uganda have exacerbated conditions, leading to flooding and landslides, though this is the first fatal incident reported. Footage from NTV Uganda and UBC Uganda shows ongoing rescue efforts, including excavators working to clear the debris.
