By Our Reporter
Three former Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials, facing 57 charges, including manslaughter related to the Kiteezi landfill landslide that claimed over 34 lives, have been granted bail after nearly a month in remand. Dorothy Kisaka, 60, David Luyimbazi, 52, and Dr. Daniel Okello, 50—former KCCA executive director, deputy executive director, and public health director, respectively—were each granted bail by Kasangati Chief Magistrate Beatrice Khainza. The court set a cash bail of sh5m for each and a bond of sh100m for their four sureties. In her ruling, Magistrate Khainza noted the case remains in its early stages without a scheduled hearing date. She found no substantial evidence from the prosecution to suggest that releasing the accused on bail would interfere with investigations or witnesses.
Represented by a team of prominent lawyers including MacDusman Kabega, Apollo Makubuya, and Fred Muwema, the defense argued that the prosecution had not provided convincing grounds to deny bail, aside from speculative claims about potential interference with the case.
The trio faces charges of manslaughter and causing death or harm by negligence. The manslaughter charge carries a maximum penalty of death, while the latter charge could result in up to two years in prison upon conviction.
According to the prosecution, the accused allowed the continued disposal of large waste volumes at the Kiteezi landfill despite warnings of a potential disaster on August 10 this year. The prosecution further accuses them of failing to decommission the landfill or take remedial action to prevent harm when notified of imminent risks to life and property. The charges relate to the deaths of numerous individuals, including Muhammad Kironde, Sam Kajubi, Phiona Murekatete, and many others, due to the landfill collapse.
Torch Media Africa
