KCCA Uganda: Kiteezi Disaster Compensation Almost Fully Paid

• KCCA has compensated 95 out of 96 identified Kiteezi landfill disaster victims.
• The remaining beneficiary's payment is pending because they are out of the country.
• Funds for the outstanding payment were returned to the Ministry of Finance, leaving the case unresolved.
• The Kiteezi landfill collapse on August 10, 2024, killed 35 people and displaced 142 households in Wakiso District.
• President Museveni directed Shs5 million for each deceased and Shs1 million for injured survivors.

A significant hurdle highlighted by Ms. Buzeki was the return of the funds allocated for this outstanding payment to the Ministry of Finance.

The Kiteezi landfill in Uganda's Wakiso District experienced a devastating collapse on August 10, 2024, triggered by heavy rainfall. This environmental catastrophe resulted in a significant portion of the landfill giving way, engulfing nearby homes and causing numerous fatalities. The incident profoundly impacted communities such as Kiteezi, Lusanja, and Kitetika, leaving families to grapple with profound loss and displacement. Initial rescue operations, coordinated by the Office of the Prime Minister, led to the recovery of 24 bodies by August 13, 2024, with the confirmed death toll subsequently reaching 35. Dozens of individuals were also reported missing in the immediate aftermath of the disaster.

In response to the tragedy, the government promptly launched rescue and relief efforts, providing essential aid including temporary shelter and food supplies to the displaced residents. President Yoweri Museveni issued specific directives for financial compensation, mandating that families of those who perished receive Shs5 million for each deceased person, while injured survivors were to be compensated with Shs1 million each. Furthermore, authorities instructed residents living within a 200-meter buffer zone around the landfill to relocate to safer areas, emphasizing preventative measures against future risks.

The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has largely completed its compensation process for victims of the Kiteezi disaster, though one specific case remains unresolved. Sharifah Buzeki, KCCA's Executive Director, recently appeared before Parliament's Committee on Commissions, Statutory Authorities and State Enterprises (COSASE) to address inquiries arising from the Auditor General's report. During this appearance, Ms. Buzeki confirmed that 95 out of the 96 individuals identified for compensation have successfully received their payments. The sole outstanding payment is for a beneficiary who is currently residing outside the country, which has complicated the finalization of their compensation.

A significant hurdle highlighted by Ms. Buzeki was the return of the funds allocated for this outstanding payment to the Ministry of Finance. This administrative action has left the compensation for the individual in question in an unresolved state. Ms. Buzeki did not provide any indication regarding when these funds might be re-released or made available again, underscoring the bureaucratic complexities and potential delays inherent in such government compensation processes.

Beyond the individual compensation payments, the Kiteezi disaster inflicted widespread property damage and resulted in significant displacement. By 2025, KCCA reported that 142 households had been displaced as a direct consequence of the disaster. Compensation efforts also encompassed properties directly affected by emergency excavation activities, with 18 such properties having already received their due payments. Moreover, 34 households whose properties were submerged due to the landfill collapse had an approved valuation amounting to Shs2.14 billion as of April 22, 2025.

The assessment process for other affected properties continued diligently. By July 30, 2025, structural evaluations were finalized for 70 households that had sustained flood damage, and these properties were awaiting their official valuation. Additionally, eight undeveloped land parcels were identified for further assessment, illustrating the comprehensive scope of the damage and the ongoing commitment to quantify and address all aspects of the disaster's impact on the affected communities within Wakiso District.

Lawyers representing disaster victims in Uganda should be aware of the bureaucratic hurdles and potential delays in government compensation processes, as demonstrated by the Kiteezi disaster payments where funds for an outstanding beneficiary were returned to the Ministry of Finance, necessitating diligent follow-up and advocacy for clients.

Source: Original reporting via Nile Post.