Fire Breaks Out at Closed Kiteezi Landfill, Residents Urged to Evacuate

A fire broke out at the closed Kiteezi landfill on the morning of February 8, 2025, prompting an urgent response from authorities. The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), in collaboration with the Uganda Police Force, is working to contain the fire and ensure the safety of surrounding communities.

According to KCCA, cracks in the landfill have led to waste slides, which may have exposed methane gas—a common occurrence in landfills that can cause fires, especially in hot weather. While the exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, authorities are warning residents to stay away from the 200-meter buffer zone around the landfill.

Urgent Evacuation Ordered

KCCA has urged all individuals who have returned to settle in the demarcated buffer zone—including areas in the villages of Lusanjje, Kitetika, and Kiteezi—to vacate immediately.

“We call upon the area leadership, security agencies, and the public to ensure that this area is vacated to warrant the safety of all persons and property,” KCCA management stated in an official notice.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as efforts to extinguish the fire continue. The public is advised to stay clear of the area until further notice.

Background on Kiteezi Landfill

The Kiteezi landfill, once Kampala’s primary waste disposal site, was officially closed due to environmental and safety concerns. However, illegal resettlement within the restricted buffer zone has remained an issue, raising risks of waste slides, toxic gas exposure, and fire outbreaks.

Residents and local leaders are urged to cooperate with authorities to prevent further dangers as emergency teams work to mitigate the current crisis.