Kampala Is A Death Trap – Lukwago

Kampala Capital City Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago has described the city as a death trap.

This follows a tragedy at the Kiteezi landfill where a section of the waste gave way, killing over 30 individuals. As the city grapples with uncertainty in its waste management a week later, Lukwago called a press conference at City Hall, where he castigated government inaction.

Lukwago cautioned that delayed intervention in the city’s dilapidated infrastructure would lead to worse tragedies.

“In the market, death trap. In the streets with all this traffic gridlock, death trap. People are dying in this city.” said Erias Lukwago.

He called upon the accounting authorities to redirect funds to more pressing unfunded issues.

“Government, through Parliament, has to reallocate funds from non-critical sectors to fund Kampala’s development agenda. Short of that, the city will remain dysfunctional. It will remain prone to disasters.” said Erias Lukwago.

With Kiteezi currently non-operational, Lukwago acknowledged that the city is facing a waste disposal challenge. The challenges were worsened when Entebbe Municipality halted their disposal of waste at the Nkumba dumping site, citing potential environmental hazards. When Kiteezi’s capacity was reached over a decade ago, KCCA purchased over 130 acres of land in Dundu, Mukono, to transfer the site.

Kampala needs a sustainable solution for waste

However, a decade later, Dundu hasn’t been operationalized, and Lukwago believes it is not the solution. He stressed that Kampala needs a state-of-the-art recycling plant, not just a regular landfill in Dundu.

“I demand swift justice and accountability from culpable parties, including profiteers. Secure emergency funding, harness electricity generation potential, and decommission the landfill to prevent future disasters and ensure a safer, more sustainable future for our community.” said Erias Lukwago.

Lukwago also lashed out at President Museveni for allegedly ignoring the Kiteezi residents. He questioned why, a week after the disaster, the President has not spared time to visit the area.