President Yoweri Museveni has directed the Prime Minister, Robinah Nabbanja, to oversee immediate resettlement of all residents near Kiteezi landfill site in Wakiso District where garbage heaps on Saturday crumbled and buried homesteads killing Eight (8) people.
In a letter posted on social media, president Museveni has also ordered that investigations should commence to ascertain how people were allowed to settle near a potentially dangerous place owing to the stench arising from rotting garbage. Following the incident, president Museveni says he had been briefed on the status of the disastrous landfill site, and about KCCA’s plan on garbage disposal, but the Head-of-State still demanded for a report from the Inspector General of Government (IGG) over the matter.
“The first question that comes to mind is: who allowed People to live near such a potentially hazardous and dangerous heap? No settlement would be allowed below the Rubuungo (the rubbish mound) on account of the effluent (ejyurigyiriro). Even without kubeguka (breaking off) of part of the mound to bury People, the effluent alone would be unpleasant and hazardous. How much more dangerous is the Kiteezi mound that is full of plastic, etc.?” Museveni noted.
“I have, accordingly, requested the Deputy IGG, Anne Muhairwe, representing the IGG, to expeditiously investigate the matter and furnish me with the report. In the meantime, I have directed the Prime Minister to co-ordinate the removal of all the house-holds in the danger zone, in addition to ensuring the recovery, if possible of the People still buried in the rubbish.” He adds;
“The UPDF Special Forces, have been directed to assist in the rescue. I have also directed the State House Comptroller to financially assist the families of those who died with UGX.5 million per person who died and Sh.1 million per person who was injured. This is not part of the legal compensation that may come from the Government if any Government Agency is found to be responsible. May Almighty God rest the souls of our departed People in eternal Peace and heal the injured.” He adds.
Relating to previous incidents like mudslides and floods, the president labeled politicians leaders and technical leaders at KCCA as “enemies of the people” who must be responsible for the disaster in Kiteezi.
“However, once again, this should educate Ugandans about the dangerous areas such as wetlands, lake-shores or the river banks, in the forests where they get in touch with monkeys and bring monkey-pox and Ebola to us, etc., etc. All should know that People-technical or political who encourage them to do so (settle there) are, actually, their enemies. How many times have we lost People in such mountain land slides, floods, etc.? Let us learn and keep away from danger” Museveni says.