Eight killed in landslide in Uganda’s capital

Eight people are dead after a landslide at a dump in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, according to the city’s officials on Saturday.

According to Ugandan media, the catastrophe occurred late on Friday following intense rains, during which parts of the dump fell and covered several neighboring residences.

According to Kampala Capital City Authority, 14 individuals had been rescued as authorities and Red Cross workers searched the area.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the discovery of eight bodies to date: two youngsters and six adults. The authority said on its X account, “The rescue effort is still underway.

For many years, Kiteezi landfill—now a large hill—acted as Kampala’s only disposal site for waste. Long-standing complaints from the locals have been that the site’s hazardous waste pollutes the environment and puts people in risk.

Images from UBC Uganda showed an excavator trying to dig up trash, while footage from NTV Uganda showed people strolling on a portion of the dump where pieces of a home had been smashed.

Though no fatalities had previously been recorded, recent heavy rains in some parts of Uganda have caused floods and landslides.