KCCA Former Directors Remanded to Luzira for Manslaughter, Deny Charges

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Dorothy Kisaka and David Luyimbazi have appeared before the Kasangati Magistrates Court in Wakiso District to face charges related to their arrest by the CID, following their dismissal from office by the President.

This was due to public concerns over the mishandling of the Kiteezi landfill, where over 30 people died, hundreds were displaced, and others went missing. The Kasangati Chief Magistrates Court, presided over by Magistrate Beatrice Khainza, charged and remanded the former Executive Director of Kampala Capital City Authority, Dorothy Kisaka, and the Deputy Executive Director, Engineer David Luyimbazi. They face 57 counts of manslaughter and causing death by rash or negligent acts, although both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

According to the charges, Kisaka, Luyimbazi, the Director of Public Health, Dr. Daniel Okello, and others still at large were responsible for the proper operation of the Kiteezi landfill between July 2020 and August 10, 2024. However, they allegedly operated the landfill without the necessary permits and licenses, resulting in the deaths caused by the devastating garbage slide.

Prosecution claims that the accused operated the landfill negligently and failed to take effective remedial actions despite being notified of potential disasters. This negligence allegedly led to a significant accumulation of garbage.

Furthermore, the accused reportedly failed to evacuate neighboring residents and neglected to close and decommission the landfill, resulting in a tragic collapse. The prosecution also accused Kisaka, Luyimbazi, and Dr. Okello of negligence that caused injury to 21 other individuals during the landfill’s collapse.

Although the trio denied some of the charges, Lillian Omara and Stanley Baine, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, informed the court that investigations into the case are complete.

The accused are represented by a team of lawyers, including Fred Muwema, Apollo Makubuya, Friday Roberts Kagoro, Julius Galisonga, John Isabirye, Alex Luganda, and Asuman Nyonyintono, among others.

The victims of the Kiteezi tragedy, whom the prosecutors cited in the manslaughter charges, include Phiona Murekatete, Nasser Sam Kajubi, Nuwairu Kironde, Shamoni Kironde, Esther Nalubega, Joel Kiyemba, Violet Nakasi, Bashan Ssekamate, Alex Kaweesa, Brain Luzindana, Jane Aceng, Simon Katerega, Bonita Nakalema, Muhammad Kironde, Halima Nabunya, Grace Nabayinda, Emmanuel Mukaje, Timothy Kisule, Sharon Nakabubi, Latif Kikambu, Jessica Nantege, and others.

The court will resume on 4th November 2024, while the accused remain in Luzira government prison for the time being.

The Kiteezi landfill disaster in Kasangati Town Council, Wakiso District, which serves as a waste disposal site for Kampala City, Mukono, and Wakiso municipalities and town councils, collapsed on August 10, 2024.

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