By Wakiso District, Uganda – The community of Kiteezi in Wakiso District is grappling with the aftermath of a devastating landfill collapse that claimed several lives and destroyed numerous properties in the early hours of Saturday, August 10. The tragedy has left survivors in shock and mourning, as they come to terms with the catastrophic event that has upended their lives.
“My Children Are Homeless”
Irene Namatovu, a single mother and plastics collector, is among those who lost everything in the disaster. “I have two young children, a six-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son, who were fortunately away at boarding school when the tragedy struck,” she shared. “But now, when they return, where will they go? I rushed back to my home only to find a heap of garbage where my house once stood. We are now staying in a tent provided by the Uganda Red Cross at the Kiteezi football pitch. The Red Cross has been incredibly supportive, giving us food and clothing, but how long can this last?”
“My Pregnant Wife Is Still Missing”
Abdu Salam Juma, a driver, is facing an agonizing wait for news about his wife, Maureen Farida Nambusi, who was four months pregnant at the time of the disaster. “She was in our rental house when the landfill collapsed. I had just left for the town center when it happened. I refuse to believe that she is gone, but if she is, I hope the rescue team can recover her body so we can give her a proper burial. This uncertainty is tearing me apart,” he lamented.
“I Don’t Know Where My Roommate Is”
Paul Amakanjja, a material supplier, lost a close friend and roommate in the tragedy. “We were three friends sharing a one-room rental to save on costs. That morning, Timothy and I left for work, leaving our friend, Peter Mayanja, still asleep. When we heard about the collapse, we rushed back, but our home was buried under a massive pile of garbage. Mayanja’s body has not yet been found,” he said, his voice heavy with grief.
“My Source of Livelihood Is Gone”
Alice Nakate, a landlady and mother of five, lost not only her home but also her livelihood. “I was out of the house when the incident occurred. Besides my house, I owned several rental properties, which were my main source of income. Each tenant paid me 60,000 shillings per month. Now, everything is gone, and I have no plan B. How do I move on from here? I am lost and helpless, waiting for intervention, but I don’t know when it will come,” she expressed.
“I Survived by Running”
Grace Chandia, a scrap dealer, narrowly escaped death. “That morning, I was at the site collecting scrap with several colleagues when I heard people shouting, ‘Run, run!’ I ran without knowing what was happening. When I finally turned around, I saw that a massive section of the garbage heap had collapsed. Some of my colleagues were not as lucky and were buried under the rubble. I’m nine months pregnant, and now I have no home because it was destroyed. People suggest I stay with family or friends, but that’s just a temporary solution,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion.
“My Left Leg Got Stuck in the Garbage”
Rehema Muhammed, who sorts waste for a living, was caught in the disaster as well. “When the collapse happened, I tried to run, but my left leg got stuck in the garbage. It took almost two and a half hours for my husband and others to free me. I felt paralyzed at first, and later the pain was unbearable. I was taken to the hospital for treatment, but the memory of that day haunts me,” she recounted.
As the affected community struggles to rebuild their lives, they remain uncertain about the future and in desperate need of continued support. The Uganda Red Cross and other organizations are providing immediate relief, but the long-term recovery will require significant intervention and resources.
