By Caroline Nakire
The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, has officially handed over the rehabilitated Kiteezi Landfill to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), marking a major step towards restoring safe waste management in Kampala following the devastating landfill collapse in August 2024.
The handover ceremony took place on Wednesday after the successful completion of rehabilitation works carried out jointly by KCCA and UN-Habitat with financial support from the Government of Japan.
The intervention was undertaken to stabilise the landfill, reduce environmental risks and enhance public safety after the tragedy that claimed lives and affected surrounding communities.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Prime Minister Nabbanja once again conveyed the Government’s heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones in the disaster. She acknowledged the pain endured by the affected communities and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to preventing a recurrence of such incidents.
“The future use of the landfill must prioritise the protection of human life and the environment,” the Prime Minister said, emphasising that any future operations at the site must be guided by sound technical advice and managed in accordance with the highest professional standards.
She also expressed appreciation to the Government of Japan for its generous financial support towards the rehabilitation exercise and commended the United Nations family, particularly UN-Habitat, for its continued partnership with Uganda in advancing sustainable urban development and environmental management.
The rehabilitation forms part of wider efforts to strengthen Kampala’s solid waste management system through modern engineering solutions.
Among the key interventions was the adoption of the Fukuoka Method, a Japanese-engineered landfill management system designed to improve landfill stability, facilitate the safe release of methane gas and minimise the risk of future landslides.
With the official handover, responsibility for managing the rehabilitated landfill now returns to KCCA. The Authority will oversee the site’s future operations in line with technical recommendations and environmental safety standards.
Government officials have, however, indicated that additional works and resources will be required before the landfill can safely resume full operations.
The collapse of the Kiteezi Landfill in August 2024 exposed the urgent need to modernise Kampala’s waste management infrastructure and strengthen disaster risk management. Since then, the Government, KCCA and development partners have worked together to restore the site while pursuing long-term, sustainable solutions for waste disposal across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.
The handover marks an important milestone in Uganda’s efforts to build a safer, more resilient and environmentally sustainable waste management system.
It also underscores the value of international partnerships in supporting infrastructure rehabilitation, protecting communities and promoting sustainable urban development.