Three former top ranking officials of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have been remanded to Luzira Prison, facing 57 charges of manslaughter and negligence.
The individuals including Dorothy Kisaka, the former Executive Director; Eng. David Luyimbazi, the former Deputy Executive Director; and Dr. Daniel Okello, the former Director of Public Health, were remanded on October 18, 2024.
They were remanded by the Chief Magistrate Beatrice Kainza of Kasangati Court after the trio’s attempts to secure bail were unsuccessful.
The courtroom was filled to capacity with relatives and friends of the accused. Among those present was Dr. Joseph Muvawala, the Prime Minister of the Busoga Kingdom.
Their defense team argued that the timing of the court proceedings was merely a delaying tactic by the state, as it occurred around 6:00 PM when banks had already closed.
The charges stem from the recent Kiteezi Dumpsite disaster, which tragically resulted in the deaths of 35 individuals who were buried under mounds of garbage, while numerous properties, including homes and livestock, were destroyed.
Additionally, 28 people remain unaccounted for following the incident.
The former officials are accused of continuing to operate the landfill despite numerous warnings about the potential for disaster.
The state claims that from July 2020 to August 10, 2024, the trio neglected their responsibilities by allowing the Kitezi landfill to function without the required permits and licenses.
They allegedly ignored repeated alerts regarding the imminent risk of a garbage slide and failed to take necessary actions to safeguard nearby communities.
Furthermore, the charges assert that the officials did not evacuate or inform residents of the looming dangers, nor did they take prompt measures to mitigate the risk of loss of life.
The state contends that these acts of negligence directly led to the tragic disaster, resulting in both fatalities and injuries.
The trio pleaded not guilty, but Kainza (magistrate) stressed that the state has to substantiate its claims against the accused and encouraged them to submit formal bail applications to the court.
