At least eight people, including two children, have lost their lives following a landslide at the Kiteezi landfill in the Ugandan capital on Saturday.

The disaster occurred after heavy rainfall caused sections of the decades-old landfill to collapse, burying nearby homes.

Rescue efforts involving government and Red Cross personnel have so far recovered the bodies of six adults and two children, with 14 people successfully rescued from the debris. The search and rescue operation is ongoing.

Residents have long expressed concerns about the environmental hazards posed by the Kiteezi landfill, which has grown into a massive hill over the years. The landfill has been the sole garbage dump for Kampala for decades.

Uganda has been experiencing heavy rains in recent weeks, leading to flooding and landslides in several regions. However, this incident in Kampala marks the first reported fatalities from the recent adverse weather conditions.

The KCCA and Red Cross continue their search and rescue efforts at the site, as the community mourns the loss of life. The disaster underscores the ongoing risks associated with the Kiteezi landfill and the broader environmental challenges facing Kampala. (ILKHA)