Kitezi landfill victims storm city hall, demand compensation

5 August 2025, 8:59 pm

By Ronal Ssemagonja

Grief-stricken and frustrated, victims of the Kitezi landfill disaster on Tuesday stormed City Hall in Kampala, demanding urgent intervention and compensation from government authorities. Many of the victims say they have waited for months with no action taken, despite losing property, homes, and even loved ones during the incident.

Speaking to journalists at City Hall, the victims expressed deep dissatisfaction with how the matter has been handled. They accused the government of neglect and deception, especially concerning the valuer appointed to assess the damage.

“They have been telling us to wait for the valuer. When he finally came, he never spoke to any of us, the actual victims. We lost our relatives and properties, but nobody is listening. We are tired of empty promises,” one victim stated emotionally. “Even the President has never come to see what happened, as though we’re not voters or taxpayers. We need justice and compensation.”

In response, Zahra Luyirika, the Speaker of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), assured the public that the authority would not relent in pressuring the government to resolve the Kitezi issue.

“As the leadership of the city, we continue to remind the government to work on these people’s concerns. Their issues have remained pending for far too long,” Luyirika said. “Now that there’s money from JICA to help address this problem, I urge government not to divert it. Let it be used to give justice to the victims.”

During the same council session, Luyirika also announced that nine members had been approved to lead KCCA Football Club. One nominee, however, was rejected due to concerns about their conduct and past performance.

Meanwhile, several KCCA councilors echoed the victims’ cries and criticised the slow pace of government intervention.

Makindye councilor Fausta Nalubega Bitaano voiced concern that despite persistent appeals, the government had failed to act.

“These victims have cried out for help for a long time, but no one is responding. The government should use the funds available from JICA to start resolving this crisis,” she said.

Rubaga North councilor James Mubiru also emphasised that the Kitezi victims are Ugandan citizens and deserve to be treated with dignity.

“We remind the government that these people are citizens like any other. They should be supported, not ignored,” Mubiru said. He also urged members appointed to various city boards to serve with integrity, noting that they would eventually be held accountable for their actions.

The outcry from Kitezi victims and KCCA leaders puts renewed pressure on the government to address the longstanding crisis that has left dozens of families in despair.