GOVERNMENT READY TO PAY KITEEZI GARBAGE SLIDE VICTIMS - KCCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Government is ready to pay compensation to the victims of the Kiteezi garbage slide as soon as the official valuation is completed, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki has assured.

Speaking during a community meeting at Kiteezi Church of Uganda on Friday, Buzeki said that the government is committed to compensating persons whose properties were damaged or rendered uninhabitable by the garbage landslide at the landfill.

“We cannot pay on speculation, we need the actual value to ensure proper compensation. Government is ready to pay as soon as the government valuer finishes the assessment,” Buzeki emphasized.

She explained that the valuation process is already underway, with the government valuer having been on the ground for the past two weeks. The assessment involves using current satellite imagery and ground verification to determine the extent of the damage.

“The valuation team is also supposed to involve the affected residents to compare findings,” Buzeki said.

For persons whose houses were affected by floods due to the garbage slide, Buzeki said that if people can no longer occupy these houses, an assessment will be done to see if they qualify for compensation.

Buzeki, who was accompanied by her deputy Benon Kigenyi, said she has prioritized two things: compensating the victims and securing an alternative location for waste disposal.

“The land for waste disposal has been secured in Buyala, Mpigi district. Once I finish these two, I will drink some water,” she added.

She also revealed that UN-Habitat will begin rehabilitation works at the Kiteezi site within the next two months, fully funded by the organization. “They will be using their own money, and you will soon see them on the ground,” she said.

In addition to property compensation, Buzeki noted that livelihood restoration support would also be provided to affected persons.

“For those whose loved ones were lost and never recovered in the garbage slide, the Office of the Prime Minister will handle their compensation. Families should come forward and file their claims,” she added.

Meanwhile, Nippon, a construction firm, is already on site working to stabilize the landfill slopes. The government is also finalizing funding for the construction of Kiteezi Road to ease access to the area.

Kyadondo East MP Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, who attended the meeting, advised residents to raise formal objections if they disagree with the valuation results but only if they have evidence.

“You cannot object to what has not been valued,” Nkunyigi said.

KCCA will keep the affected persons updated on the compensation process.