Shocking Misallocation of Shs 2.5 Billion Kiteezi Funds

A recent revelation by the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) City Executive Committee (CEC) has raised serious concerns over the management of funds intended for the aftermath of the Kiteezi landfill disaster.

According to the report presented to the KCCA Authority on Thursday, Shs 2.5 billion, which was initially allocated for disaster relief, was instead spent on political mobilization by the Ministry for Kampala.

The report highlights the mismanagement of the city’s resources, with the KCCA technical wing and the Ministry for Kampala at the center of the controversy.

This includes not only the diversion of Shs 2.5 billion for political purposes but also the allocation of USD 18 million from a World Bank loan intended for improving drainage infrastructure in the Kampala Metropolitan area, which was diverted for capacity building.

The City Executive Committee expressed frustration over these actions, stating: “We are deeply irritated by the Ministry of Kampala’s decision to use a substantial portion of the World Bank loan, USD 18 million, for capacity building. This mirrors the same reckless practice that saw UGX 16.07 billion, set aside for Kiteezi disaster management, being misused, with UGX 2.5 billion spent on political mobilization. This has to stop immediately.”

The tragic Kiteezi landfill collapse in August 2024 claimed at least 30 lives, as a massive heap of waste at the site collapsed. The disaster has left KCCA struggling to secure the necessary funds for compensating the victims and decommissioning the dangerous site.

Despite ongoing pleas from the victims’ families, KCCA has stated that compensation amounts are still pending as they await a report from the chief government valuer to determine the exact compensation figures.

The scandal also led to the sacking and prosecution of the former KCCA Executive Director, Dorothy Kisaka, and her Deputy, Eng. David Luyimbazi, as the authorities sought to address the mismanagement of the crisis.