Six more bodies were retrieved yesterday from the garbage mound in Kiteezi, bringing the death toll to 30.
The rescue team is still actively searching for 39 other missing persons. According to Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango, “As of 1:00 pm on Tuesday, two more bodies had been retrieved, bringing the total to 26. Today, the operation resumed, and by 5:30 pm, six more bodies were found, making a total of 30 bodies recovered so far.”
Missing Individuals and Affected Homes
Of the 39 individuals still missing, 35 are local residents, while four are garbage collectors.
Onyango further explained that 33 homes are believed to have been buried under the debris following the garbage slide, which was triggered by heavy rains on Saturday.
A registration committee was established to document those affected, and preliminary findings revealed that 120 people have taken refuge in a temporary shelter at the Kiteezi Church of Uganda Primary School playground.
Arrests for Impersonation
In a separate incident, five individuals were arrested on Tuesday evening for impersonating victims of the garbage slide to claim compensation and relief items.
The suspects are currently detained at Kiteezi Police Station on charges of impersonation.
Government Response and Compensation
During a visit to the Kiteezi dumpsite on Monday, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja announced that the government would compensate residents within a 200-meter radius to facilitate their relocation.
She emphasized that the compensation—sh5m for each person who died and shim for every survivor—will be based on data collected during the recent national census.
Nabbanja also issued a stern warning against fraudulent claims, referencing an incident where a man falsely claimed to have lost relatives in the landslide but could not provide their names.
“The Government is vigilant. If you are caught claiming to be a victim, the law will deal with you,” Nabbanja stated.
New Dumpsite Secured
Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago announced that a 14-acre plot at Katabi in Entebbe municipality, Wakiso district, had been secured as a temporary dumpsite.
The Ministry of Water and the National Environment Management Authority has been tasked with conducting a feasibility study to ensure that contaminated water from the garbage in Katabi does not seep into Lake Victoria.
Donations and Support
By yesterday, several people and organizations had donated food and relief items to the survivors staying in a camp near Kiteezi Police Station.
The Kampala Archdiocese donated 100 bags of maize flour, rice, washing soap, bedsheets, and blankets. Archbishop Paul Ssemogerere assured the garbage slide victims that they are not alone.
“In this dark time, I want to assure you that you are not alone. We are all in this together, and we will get through this together. May the Lord, who weeps with us in our sorrow, comfort and strengthen us. May His loving arms enfold us, and may His gentle whisper calm our fears,” he said.
Church’s Support for Victims
Kampala Archdiocese chancellor Fr. Dr. Pius Male Ssentumbwe delivered the food and message on behalf of Archbishop Ssemogerere.
Ssentumbwe, who led a team of Catholic priests and parishioners to Kiteezi, stated that the donation is in fulfilment of the Church’s teachings of identifying with people who are in distress.
Additionally, Absa Bank donated sh100m to the Uganda Red Cross to support the victims.
