Discontent is boiling over in Kiteezi, where survivors of the catastrophic landfill collapse have rejected the government’s proposed housing plan.
The affected persons have called it an ill-conceived solution that disregards their voices and adds insult to their injury.
This happened in the meeting held on Tuesday at Kiteezi Church of Uganda Primary School Play-ground.
The Office of the Prime Minister recently announced a project to construct over 600 three-bedroom houses in Dundu, Mukono District, for the victims of the Kiteezi tragedy.
According to the Minister of State for Housing, Persis Namuganza, the project estimated to cost Shs 84 billion will be undertaken by Bulwadda Estates Ltd on land allocated by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) in Dundu.
However, there’s a catch: beneficiaries must repay the cost of the houses in installments, deducted from the value of their land in Kiteezi.
Many survivors who are still grieving their losses were outraged by the government’s solo decision. They argue that the plan to relocate them to Mukono was imposed without consultation and fails to address their actual needs.
“We reject the Minister’s plan to construct houses for us,” said Gonzaga Nkondwe, a survivor. “What we want is fair compensation for our lost properties. If compensated, we can choose where to live. Why should we be forced into loans when we’ve already lost everything?”
For families like that of David Musinguzi, who lost loved ones in the August 2024 disaster, the government’s housing offer feels like a slap in the face.
“My parents worked hard to buy land and build a home for us here,” he said. “Now they want to move us to Mukono and make us pay loans for houses? This is a mockery. We want compensation, not forced relocation.”
The Kiteezi tragedy struck in August 2024 when a massive garbage dump collapsed, claiming the lives of at least 35 people and displacing dozens. Homes were buried under tons of waste, and survivors have been fighting to rebuild their lives ever since.
Initially, the government promised to compensate the victims for their lost property, a commitment that many say has yet to materialize. Now, the sudden shift to a housing scheme has left the affected families feeling abandoned and betrayed.
The victims are calling on the Office of the Prime Minister to engage with them directly and listen to their needs before implementing solutions. Many argue that compensation would allow them to rebuild their lives in places of their choosing, while the housing project locks them into an arrangement they never asked for.
“This decision doesn’t help us,” said Nkondwe. “It’s time the government stopped deciding for us and started listening to us. We deserve a say in how we rebuild our lives.”
With emotions running high, the affected residents are urging the government to revert to its original compensation plan. They are also demanding a transparent and inclusive decision-making process that prioritizes their well-being over bureaucratic expediency.
Adapted from URN
