Landslide at Uganda Landfill Kills 8

KAMPALA, Uganda, Aug. 10 (UPI) — A tragic landslide at Uganda's only landfill in Kiteezi has resulted in the deaths of at least eight individuals, including two children, following heavy rainfall on Saturday morning. Rescue teams are currently engaged in efforts to recover those trapped beneath the debris, which has also buried animals and homes in the area. At least 14 people have been rescued and transported to a local hospital, although their medical conditions remain undisclosed. The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) reported a structural failure in the waste mass of the landfill, leading to the collapse of a section of the site. Initially, KCCA officials stated there were no casualties, but they later confirmed the fatalities as rescue operations progressed. The Kiteezi landfill, which serves as the sole waste disposal site for Uganda's population of approximately 47.25 million, has been a longstanding concern for environmental safety and pollution. Local authorities, including KCCA's Erias Lukwago, had previously warned about the dangers posed by the overflowing landfill, which has accumulated waste over decades. Recent heavy rains have exacerbated flooding and other issues in the region, but this incident marks the first reported casualties linked to the landfill's instability. The KCCA is closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of the surrounding community as rescue efforts continue.