Kampala – The death toll from last week’s devastating landslide at Kampala’s Kiteezi landfill has climbed to 35, with 12 of the victims being young people, police confirmed on Friday. Rescuers continue to search the rubble for an additional 28 missing persons.
The tragedy unfolded late last Friday when a massive section of the garbage mound collapsed, burying dozens of homes beneath tons of waste as residents slept. Nine more bodies have been recovered since Wednesday, bringing the total fatalities to 35. Due to the severe condition of some remains, authorities have struggled to identify the newly found victims.
Recent torrential rains in Uganda have exacerbated the situation, triggering widespread flooding and landslides across the country. The Kiteezi landfill, Kampala’s sole waste dump for decades, has long been a source of concern for local residents due to environmental hazards and safety risks.
This disaster echoes similar tragedies in Africa, such as the 2017 Ethiopia landfill collapse that killed over 115 people.
