Garbage Disposal Site In Uganda Landslides, 21 People Died

UNSPLASH/Wolfgang Hasselmann ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The number of victims who died as a result of landslides at a garbage disposal site in the Ugandan capital, Kamala, has increased to 21 people.

After heavy rains in recent weeks, a large mound of garbage in the city's only landfill collapsed on Friday, August 10 evening burying houses on the edge of landfill while residents were sleeping.

President Yoweri Museveni ordered the prime minister to coordinate the transfer of everyone living near the garbage disposal site.

"The government has also started an investigation into the cause of the landslide and will take action against officials who have proven negligent," said the Government Inspectorate.

As reported by Reuters on Monday, August 12, 14 people have been rescued, police spokesman Patrick Onyango said.

Tents have been established nearby for those displaced by landslides.

The waste disposal site, known as Kiteezi, has been the only landfill in Kamala for decades and has turned into a large hill.

Residents have long complained about hazardous waste polluting the environment and endangering residents.

The city government's efforts to obtain a new TPA location have taken years.

A similar tragedy also occurred elsewhere in Africa due to piles of city garbage that were not managed properly.