WAKISO, Uganda— Fear still haunts the hills of Kiteezi. Less than a year after a horrific garbage landslide killed 32 people, the decommissioned landfill in Wakiso District is again a source of anxiety. On the evening of Tuesday, June 17, flames erupted from the notorious Kiteezi landfill, filling the sky with plumes of thick, acrid smoke and sending waves of panic through the surrounding community.
While the Uganda Police Fire Brigade and the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) were quick to extinguish the fire, the damage—emotional, environmental, and symbolic—was already done. It was another reminder that Kiteezi is far from safe, and residents say they are living on borrowed time.
“We Don’t Sleep Anymore”
Residents say they live in constant fear, worried that the landfill will strike again—this time with even more devastating consequences.
“This fire was caused by children that burn copper wires,” said local resident Gonzaga Modye, visibly shaken. “We have no security, and the area needs proper fencing. They think they’ve put out the fire, but it keeps burning from inside.”
The source of the fire is still under investigation, but locals and leaders alike point to the increasing number of youth who frequent the site to burn copper and polythene materials in search of salvageable scrap. These risky activities, often done in secret and without supervision, have turned Kiteezi into a time bomb.
Leadership Visits, But Trust is Thin
KCCA Executive Director Faridah Buzeki and State Minister for Kampala and Metropolitan Affairs Kabuye Kyoffatogabye visited the scene hours after the fire was doused. They urged residents to remain vigilant and report unauthorized activity around the landfill.
In a statement released that evening, KCCA said the fire had been “fully contained” and that additional security was deployed to prevent further unauthorized entry.
But for residents who have already lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods to the landfill, words are no longer enough.
“We’re still waiting for justice. People here are always scared—they don’t sleep,” said LC5 Chancellor and aspiring Member of Parliament for Wakiso District, Juliet Nanteza. “We call upon KCCA to intervene. People lost their property and were only given Shs 2 million. That’s not compensation—that’s silence money. KCCA keeps saying they’re still ‘in the process’—but our people are still crying.”
Youth Activities Spark New Fears
Local officials agree that the presence of youth at the landfill—often to burn scrap for resale—poses a clear danger. “They informed us early in the day, and KCCA responded quickly,” said Muyanja Huzaifah, the LC3 Chancellor for the area. “But we suspect the fire was started by young people burning steel wires.”
Youth leader Matovu Ben from Lusanja confirmed that young people often come to the landfill to burn polythene and other materials for scrap, activities that are not only illegal but also highly flammable. “Authorities need to stop this before more damage is done,” he warned.
Residents argue that the real issue lies in the lack of enforcement and security. “I call upon the government to clear the area and level it,” said Banyuzaki Gerald. “We need security to prevent people from living in the garbage. It’s clear they caused the fire.”
Kiteezi: A Disaster Waiting to Happen—Again
The Kiteezi landfill was once Kampala’s primary waste disposal site, but years of overuse turned it into a toxic hazard. Long past its capacity, it was officially decommissioned after the 2023 garbage collapse that claimed 32 lives—mostly waste pickers and informal settlers who lived on or near the site.
The fallout from that disaster was immediate. Then-KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, her deputy David Luyimbazi, and Director of Public Health Dr. Daniel Okello were all dismissed in the aftermath. But while leadership changed, the core problem remained: a landfill turned death trap, still accessible to desperate residents and opportunistic scrap collectors.
Despite public promises to secure the area, install fencing, and provide alternative waste management solutions, little has changed. The fire reignited not just garbage—but community anger and grief.
Mounting Pressure for Action
As smoke clears over Kiteezi once again, pressure is mounting on both KCCA and the central government to act. Community leaders are calling for a full closure and cleanup of the landfill, stricter security measures, and fair compensation to families still reeling from past tragedies.
“This isn’t just about waste management,” said Nanteza. “This is about human dignity and safety. We cannot keep losing lives while those in power stall on promises.”
A Community on Edge
The people of Kiteezi are not just living near a landfill—they’re living next to a loaded gun. With every illegal entry, every smoldering fire, and every broken promise, the risk grows.
As Uganda grapples with rapid urban growth and the rising challenge of safe waste disposal, Kiteezi has become a cautionary tale. It’s a story of policy failure, community neglect, and a growing call for justice in a country still finding its balance between development and dignity.
One thing is clear: Kiteezi’s fire may be out—but the crisis is far from over.
