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Deputy Inspector General Ann Twino Muhairwe has ordered the arrest of the Head of Public and Corporate Affairs at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), Daniel NuweAbiine, for obstructing investigations into the Kitiz city garbage tragedy.
NuweAbiine reportedly instructed the KCCA official who recorded the statement not to sign it.
The arrest was made following a site inspection by Twino Muhairwe. Police and IGG officials have recorded statements from KCCA field staff.
Muhaiwi promised that if the investigation found negligence, he would take action against government officials who failed to act to avert the garbage landslide disaster.
The residents told the deputy inspector general that they had anticipated the impending disaster and informed KCCA officials, but no action was taken.
The Deputy Inspector General, acting on the orders of President Museveni, is investigating the real causes of the tragedy.
Sources said more arrests were expected.
As of Sunday, the death toll stood at 18 and the president has directed the Uganda People’s Defence Forces special forces to assist in the search and rescue.
He has directed the Auditor-General of the State House to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased, Sh5 million each and Sh1 million each.
Presidential Statement on the Kitez Landfill Incident
Fellow Ugandans, especially those of Ugandan descent,
greeting.
This is to express condolences to the families of those who died yesterday when the Kitiz (orubuungo) garbage dump partially collapsed (kubeguka) and buried people living nearby.
The first question that comes to mind is: “Who allows people to live near such a potentially dangerous garbage dump?” Even without exhuming and burying people, the sewage (ejyurigyiriro) alone must be harmful to health.
The local heaps of cow dung and household garbage (emuungo) are dangerous enough, even though they are mostly organic matter (cow dung – amasha – banana peels – ebihatiro – household garbage – empuunda).
No settlement is allowed below the Rubuungo (garbage dump) due to sewage (ejyurigyiriro). Even without removing part of the garbage dump to bury people, the sewage itself is unpleasant and dangerous. How dangerous is Kiteezi Mountain full of plastic etc?
When I spoke to Dorothy Kisaka she told me the story of their desire to move to Dundu, but the Dundu people did not want to live next to garbage, instead they have been working on actively using the garbage, which is actually good, to generate electricity, make fertilizers, recycle plastics, etc. However, this does not answer the question of why humans are allowed to settle near garbage dumps.
I have therefore asked Deputy IGG Anne Muhairwe, who is representing the IGG, to expeditiously investigate the matter and provide me with a report. In the meantime, I have directed the Prime Minister to coordinate the relocation of all households within the danger zone and ensure that those who are still buried in the garbage are rescued as much as possible.
But again, this should make Ugandans aware of dangerous areas like wetlands, lake shores or river banks, where in the forests they come into contact with monkeys and bring us monkeypox and Ebola, among other things.
All people should know that those who encourage them to do so (whether technicians or politicians) are actually their enemies. How many times have we lost lives in disasters such as landslides, floods, etc.? Let us learn from the lessons and stay away from danger.
UPDF Special Forces have been directed to assist in the rescue. I have also directed the Auditor General of the State House to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased, Sh5 million for each deceased and Sh1 million for each injured. This is in addition to the legal compensation that could be awarded by a government agency if any is found liable. May the Almighty rest our lost in eternal peace and heal the injured.
sign:
Yoweri K. Museveni
President of Uganda
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