Kiteezi tragedy: Court adjourns manslaughter case against ex-KCCA officials

The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kasangati has adjourned the manslaughter case against three former senior officials from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) until March 25, 2025.

The accused — former KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, former Deputy Executive Director David Luyimbazi, and former Director of Public Health Daniel Okello — appeared before Chief Magistrate Beatrice Khainza for the hearing.

However, the case was postponed at the request of the state, represented by prosecutor Betty Twaidhukirwa, who informed the court that investigations are still ongoing.

The trio face 34 counts of manslaughter and 21 counts of causing harm through rash or negligent acts. They have denied all charges.

Prosecutors argue that the accused neglected their duties, leading to the August 10 collapse of the Kiteezi landfill in 2024, which resulted in the deaths of 34 individuals and injuries to 21 others.

The prosecution contends that Kisaka, Luyimbazi, and Okello failed to act on warnings about the landfill's imminent collapse, continued operating the site without necessary permits, and allowed the dumping of waste at the site, putting residents at risk.

The charges stem from their roles in the management of Kiteezi landfill between July 2020 and August 2024. Kisaka took office in July 2020 following a recommendation by President Yoweri Museveni and approval by the Public Service Commission. As per the KCCA Act of 2011, Kisaka was responsible for overseeing service delivery, managing public funds, and providing technical advisory to the authority.

The case will resume in March for further proceedings.