ED BUZEKI INSPECTS PROGRESS OF KITEEZI REHABILITATION WORKS

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Executive Director Hajjat Sharifah Buzeki on Thursday afternoon led a site inspection at the Kiteezi landfill rehabilitation project, reaffirming the Authority’s commitment to restoring safety, environmental protection and public health at the facility.

The Executive Director was accompanied by her Deputy, Benon Kigenyi, and the Director of Public Health and Environment, Dr. Sarah Zalwango, as they toured active work zones to assess progress and engage the technical team on site.

Works currently underway include cutting down steep and unstable waste cliffs, terracing high-risk sections and stabilising the garbage mass to prevent further collapse.

Engineers are also installing a network of leachate-collection and gas-ventilation pipes, with several pipes already laid. The team was briefed on how the leachate system will channel waste fluids to treatment ponds, significantly reducing environmental and health risks.

The rehabilitation is being implemented under a US$1 million project funded by the Government of Japan, in partnership with UN-Habitat, following the partial collapse of the landfill in August 2024. The incident prompted KCCA to fast-track emergency interventions to secure the site and protect nearby communities.

The year-long project, titled “Emergency Technical Assistance to Rehabilitate Kiteezi Landfill,” will decommission approximately 10 acres of the landfill, equivalent to about 250,000 cubic metres of waste, using the Fukuoka method, a Japanese-engineered landfill management system designed to stabilise old dumpsites while reducing methane emissions.

In addition to reshaping waste slopes and installing methane-ventilation systems, the project includes construction of leachate-treatment ponds and capacity building for KCCA staff in landfill risk management to strengthen long-term operational safety.

During the visit, the Executive Director called on residents to support the rehabilitation process by improving waste management practices, including waste reduction, recycling and proper disposal.

She noted that collective responsibility is essential as Kampala transitions toward a more sustainable and resilient solid waste management system.

KCCA said the ongoing works at Kiteezi demonstrate the Authority’s proactive approach to addressing urban environmental challenges and ensuring a safer, cleaner city for all residents.

By Geofrey Mutegeki Araali

Communication and Media Relations Officer