A year after a devastating garbage slide at the Kiteezi landfill in August 2024, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), in collaboration with UN-Habitat, has launched a \$1 million emergency rehabilitation project aimed at restoring safety and improving waste management in the area.
The one-year project, titled “Emergency Technical Assistance to KCCA – Rehabilitating the Kiteezi Landfill,” is funded by the Government of Japan and is designed to address urgent safety and environmental concerns posed by the deteriorating landfill site.
A source at KCCA explained that the rehabilitation will primarily target seven of the most hazardous acres within the 39-acre site, focusing on stabilizing zones that were affected by the deadly landslide.
The official outlined the core objectives of the initiative, which include reducing steep garbage slopes to prevent future slides, reinforcing loose waste heaps, installing methane ventilation systems to reduce the risk of gas buildup, constructing mechanisms for the collection and treatment of toxic leachate, and training staff and local workers in safer landfill management techniques.
The source further noted that this marks the first step in a larger plan to ultimately close and decommission the landfill, which has for years posed serious health and environmental threats to nearby residents.
Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Muwada Nkunyingi, expressed strong support for the intervention and acknowledged the urgent need for action following last year’s incident.
“This project is a big relief for our people. We are grateful to the Government of Japan and UN-Habitat and promise our full support to ensure the work is completed on time,” said Nkunyingi.
UN-Habitat’s Phiona Nshemereirwe revealed that her team swiftly collaborated with KCCA to prepare a proposal for international support after the 2024 disaster.
She explained that following a rapid site assessment, the Japanese Government responded positively and committed \$1 million to the project, selecting Uganda and Ethiopia as the only African countries to benefit from this emergency assistance.
Nshemereirwe also announced that the rehabilitation effort will be led by internationally recognized landfill expert Prof. Mastfujji from Japan, whose experience will guide the safe redesign of the site.
Dr. Sarah Zalwango, KCCA’s Acting Director for Public Health and Environment, extended her gratitude to the local communities for their cooperation during the assessment and compensation phases leading up to the project.
“I’m happy to see the community support. Let’s continue working together as we look for more funds to fully close and manage the landfill,” said Dr. Zalwango.
Meanwhile, KCCA Spokesperson Daniel Muhumuza Nuweabine provided an update on infrastructure improvements linked to the landfill.
He announced that the African Development Bank is nearing final approval of funding to upgrade the 9-kilometer Mpelerwe–Kiteezi–Kiti road, a critical access route to the site.
He called upon local leaders to assist in sensitizing residents to cooperate during construction and avoid disruptions that could delay progress.
UN-Habitat confirmed that preparations, including mobilization of equipment and personnel, are already underway.
