The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has announced plans to phase out the Kiteezi landfill and shift towards a modern waste-to-energy facility, marking a significant step in improving the city’s waste management and environmental sustainability.
Frank Rusa, the newly appointed Executive Director of KCCA, emphasized that the authority is working tirelessly to decommission the Kiteezi landfill, which has been the city’s primary waste disposal site for years.
Frank Rusa, via his account on X (formerly Twitter), expressed the authority’s commitment to ending reliance on traditional landfills and adopting innovative solutions for sustainable waste management.
“We are working tirelessly to decommission the Kiteezi Landfill and transition to a modern waste-to-energy facility. We are fully committed to moving away from landfills,” he said.
Rusa emphasized that the tragic incident at Kiteezi highlighted the importance of establishing a 500-meter buffer zone to ensure the safety of the surrounding community.
“The big lesson we’ve learned from Kiteezi tragedy is the critical need for a buffer zone. When acquiring land for a new waste facility, we will ensure almost a 500meter buffer to protect the community by restricting access and minimizing any risks.”
The KCCA Executive Director stated that they are in discussions with investors to implement a comprehensive 360° waste management plan for the city, drawing inspiration from Ethiopia’s model.
“We are actively engaging investors to implement a 360° waste management plan for Kampala. We are looking at a waste-to-energy solutions, picking lessons from countries like Ethiopia who have been able to turn their waste into energy,” he remarked.
The Kiteezi landfill, located on the outskirts of Kampala, recently caused a tragic incident that claimed over 30 lives, prompting immediate changes in the top management of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). In response, the president dismissed the former executive director and deputy executive director.
