Government Unveils Relief Plan for Families Affected by Kiteezi Landfill Disaster: Sh99bn Allocated for Housing and Land Assistance

The towering mass of garbage slid into neighbouring areas, covering nearly three-thirds of surrounding homes and properties, leaving survivors with shattered hopes and unimaginable losses.

Rescue teams rushed to the scene, battling against the sea of waste to retrieve bodies trapped beneath layers of garbage. Emergency tents were set up to coordinate efforts, but the sheer scale of the disaster left many fearing the worst for their missing loved ones.

Meanwhile, survivors found themselves standing atop what used to be their homes, gazing at the remnants of their lives buried meters deep under the landfill’s refuse.

The tragedy not only claimed lives but also wiped out livelihoods. Many of those affected, who had long fought for survival on the fringes of the city, saw their meagre wealth land titles, savings, and property deeds littlely swallowed by the garbage heap. These land titles, once a beacon of hope for securing loans and better futures, now lie in ruins, covered by debris.

In response to the disaster, the government came under intense scrutiny from the public and civil society. Displaced residents cried out for support, their voices echoing the urgent need for help in the face of their bleak reality. The affected communities complained that they had been left with no shelter, food, or assurances of compensation for their losses.

While addressing the media on Thursday, the State Minister for Housing, Persis Namuganza expressed the government’s commitment to finding solutions to stuck families in Kiteezi “We acknowledge the magnitude of the devastation at Kiteezi,” she said. “Cabinet has resolved to prioritize immediate aid for the displaced and explore long-term recovery measures for the affected families. The losses go beyond property; it is the emotional and psychological toll on our people that requires a response from all fronts.”

She added; “Cabinet passed Sh16 billion to be directed to the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) to ensure that every family currently living in the tents after the tragedy receives Sh2 million,” Minister Namuganza confirmed. “This will enable them to rent houses and leave the tent settlement at Kiteezi, where they are exposed to several health risks due to poor hygiene.”

She emphasized the urgency of relocating families from the tents to safer, more hygienic conditions. “We want them to leave the place so that they can live a decent life. Afterwards, the Office of the Prime Minister will reach out to each family.”

She revealed that the government’s support doesn’t end with offering them money for renting. Cabinet also approved an additional Sh83 billion for the Department of Disaster Preparedness. This funding will be used to provide land for the displaced families, ensuring they have a permanent place to rebuild.

“There are two options for the government: we can either buy a piece of land for them or give them the money to purchase land themselves,” Namuganza explained. “No one is being abandoned. The government is fully committed to supporting these families. The conditions in the camps are hazardous, and we need to ensure they find proper homes as soon as possible to avoid further health disasters.”

The minister also highlighted the flexibility in the government’s plan, noting that some families may prefer to handle the process independently. “For those who feel they can buy land and build on their own, the government will provide the necessary financial support,” she said. “But for those who may not be able to manage on their own, the government will step in to assist with both land and housing.”

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja is expected to convene a meeting this week with key stakeholders, including the Ministers of Kampala, KCCA, the Attorney General, and the Minister of Housing, to finalize the plans.