The death toll from a catastrophic collapse of a massive garbage dump in Uganda’s capital has climbed to 25, with authorities declaring no hope for survivors.
The tragic incident occurred on Saturday when the towering mound of waste in the Kiteezi district crumbled, burying residents and their livestock.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by heavy rainfall as excavators struggle to sift through the treacherous terrain.
Despite the challenges, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has deployed the army’s special forces to assist in the search.
However, State Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Relief, Lillian Aber, has confirmed that no survivors have been found, extinguishing hopes of a miracle rescue.
The exact number of missing persons remains unclear, but authorities have reported that three children who lost their parents in the disaster are currently under government care.
To prevent further casualties and potential hazards, a 200-meter buffer zone has been established around the site, and residents have been evacuated.
The Kiteezi landfill, established in 1996, has been the dumping ground for nearly all of Kampala’s waste, processing an estimated 1,500 tonnes of garbage daily.
With the landfill now closed, Kampala Mayor Erias Lukwago has announced the urgent need to identify alternative disposal sites as the city grapples with a growing waste management crisis.
The devastating incident comes amid a period of heavy rainfall in Uganda and neighboring East African countries.
Just last month, mudslides in Ethiopia claimed the lives of approximately 250 people, highlighting the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather events.