The Kasangati Chief Magistrates Court has committed former Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka and her deputy, Engineer David Luyimbazi Ssali, to the High Court for trial on 57 charges related to manslaughter and causing death or bodily harm through negligent or rash acts.
The charges arise from the catastrophic collapse of the Kiteezi Landfill on August 10, 2024, which claimed several lives and left many others injured.
A 45-page summary of evidence signed by Assistant DPP Lino Anguzu details that postmortems conducted at Mulago Hospital and KCCA mortuaries confirmed deaths from traumatic asphyxia, suffocation, and blunt force injuries.
Other victims sustained grievous and serious bodily harm and were admitted to various health facilities.
Investigations revealed that the Kiteezi Landfill, initially opened in 1996 and upgraded in 2001, had long surpassed its 10-year operational lifespan by 2013.
The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) had declined to renew its license, citing critical environmental and safety risks.
Despite this, KCCA continued operations at the site in defiance of regulatory directives.
Evidence shows that the landfill continued receiving waste from across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, including from unauthorized private entities operating without licenses or contracts.
By the time of its collapse, Kiteezi was handling over 450,000 tons of waste annually—far beyond its engineered capacity.
Technical findings indicate severe mismanagement of the site, despite an annual KCCA budget of at least UGX 3.1 billion earmarked for its maintenance.
The prosecution asserts that Kisaka and Luyimbazi, as top KCCA officials, had full knowledge of the deteriorating condition of the landfill.
Between December 2023 and July 2024, both received internal and external reports warning of an imminent collapse.
A report dated April 18, 2024, from the landfill’s management officer reportedly called for urgent interventions, including reinforcement of infrastructure, improved drainage, and community sensitization.
Despite receiving this report, the duo allegedly took no action.
The prosecution intends to present extensive evidence, including expert technical reports, internal KCCA correspondence, postmortem and medical records, NEMA findings, and police investigations.
Both accused were declared mentally and physically fit to stand trial.
The date for the High Court trial is yet to be fixed.
Kisaka and Luyimbazi remain out on bail pending their appearance.
