By Spy Uganda
This morning, an intense fire broke out at the now-closed Kiteezi landfill, sending thick, black smoke billowing into the air. The blaze, which prompted an immediate emergency response, has raised grave concerns over the safety of the area and the growing environmental risks associated with the site. City officials, led by Kampala Lord Mayor Erias Lukwago, rushed to the scene to oversee firefighting efforts, while police, fire brigade, and emergency responders worked tirelessly to control the flames.
The cause of the fire is believed to be methane gas combustion beneath the surface of the landfill—a dangerous phenomenon common in ageing dumpsites that have exceeded their capacity. Methane, a highly flammable gas produced by decomposing organic waste, can accumulate in landfills over time. If not properly managed, it can lead to both surface fires and catastrophic underground explosions.
Lukwago, who was on the ground coordinating emergency operations, expressed deep concern over the unfolding crisis. He warned that if the fire was not contained quickly, the situation could escalate into something much more severe, describing it as a potential “volcano-like explosion.”
“Right now, we are at the closed Kiteezi dump-site for emergency response to the mysterious fire at the garbage mountain top, believed to be stemming from methane combustion underneath,” Lukwago said. “Fire brigade experts have expressed the need to use a murrum dosing method as opposed to water, but unfortunately, we don’t have the requisite equipment like murrum conveyor belts. We have, however, agreed to use mechanical methods, and hopefully, we will be able to address the situation before a catastrophe happens.”
The Kiteezi landfill, which once served as Kampala’s primary waste disposal site, has been at the center of mounting environmental and public safety concerns for years. Originally designed to handle far less waste, the landfill has far exceeded its capacity, leading to severe mismanagement of waste and dangerous methane buildup. This long-standing issue, compounded by the lack of proper gas management systems, has made the landfill a ticking time bomb for potential fires and explosions.
The dangers of Kiteezi were brought to the forefront in August 2024, when a tragic collapse at the site claimed multiple lives, underscoring the dire need for better waste management solutions. As a result of this incident, the landfill was officially closed, but the risks associated with the site did not vanish. Methane pockets—primed to ignite—remain a serious threat, and this morning’s fire may be the first indication of what could be a larger disaster waiting to happen.
While efforts to extinguish the fire continue, local authorities, experts, and residents alike are calling for comprehensive reforms in how the city manages waste. This includes better waste sorting, recycling programs, and more modern landfill designs that include advanced gas management systems to mitigate the risk of fires and explosions in the future.
