Authorities is transferring to decommission the Kiteezi landfill following its collapse and eventual demise of over 23 individuals.
The Minister of State for Reduction, Catastrophe Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Lillian Aber made this revelation whereas presenting a press release to the Home chaired by Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa on Tuesday, 13 August 2024.
The Kiteezi landfill in Kasangati City Council, Wakiso District has been the first waste disposal web site for Kampala since 1997 receiving 2,500 tonnes of waste each day.
Its collapse on 10 August 2024 has highlighted the necessity for a sustainable and safer waste administration technique.
Aber stated that authorities will transfer to decommission the Kiteezi landfill citing the urgent want to forestall any additional lack of life or environmental harm.
“The tragic occasions have underscored the vital vulnerabilities in our waste administration system. In consequence, the federal government has determined to fast-track the decommissioning of the Kiteezi landfill,” she stated including that, ‘a 200-meter buffer zone across the landfill has been preserved and we’re flattening the rubbish hill to stabilize the realm as we part out operations’.
She added that the federal government is actively pursuing various websites for waste disposal.
“We now have recognized potential websites in Menvu, Nansana and Busumamura in Kira Municipality,” Aber added
These websites, she famous, are anticipated to switch Kiteezi and assist mitigate the approaching waste disaster within the Better Kampala Metropolitan Space (GKMA).
The minister revealed that they’re taking a look at adopting fashionable waste administration practices.
“Our focus is on implementing incineration and recycling strategies to make sure that waste disposal is sustainable and environmentally pleasant. We’re dedicated to reworking how we handle waste in Uganda to forestall such tragedies sooner or later,” Aber stated.
Kyadondo East Member of Parliament, Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi stated the tragedy was a catastrophe ready to occur as earlier warnings had fallen on deaf ears.
Nkunyingi acknowledged that there are experiences of fuel extraction on the landfill which can have precipitated the accident.
He added that it was disheartening to see individuals who have been killed by the catastrophe being termed as land encroachers. He referred to as for a complete assist to the individuals affected by the catastrophe.
The Minister for Kampala Metropolis and Metropolitan Affairs, Hon. Minsa Kabanda stated it’s untimely to speak about compensation when there are individuals believed to be nonetheless buried.
She disputed the data that fuel was being extracted from Kiteezi.
Ora County MP, Hon. Lawrence Songa stated that the Committee on Local weather Change had earlier suggested town authority to fast-track the decommissioning of the landfill however that, no motion was taken.
Songa stated that that they had really helpful that traders be invited to show the waste into fuel, however this was not finished. He additionally highlighted that Uganda loses over Shs1 trillion yearly attributable to waste-related points.
“What we’ve got in Kitezi is a dumping web site, it’s not a landfill. I don’t see any landfill in Uganda with full engineering know-how, which we aren’t doing,” he stated.
The Third Deputy Premier, Rt Hon. Rukia Nakadama stated the emergency rescue programme is ongoing and will probably be expedited by mobilising gear from totally different companions to make sure that mild is availed for a 24-hour rescue mission.
Deputy Speaker Tayebwa stated that originally Parliament would have put up a committee to research the matter however acknowledged that different processes have been now ongoing. He stated because the presiding officer, his focus is on the people who find themselves nonetheless caught within the landfill.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Parliament of the Republic of Uganda.