- Office of the DPP says the charges are the result of a rigorous Prosecution-Guided Investigation (PGI) process and that the investigation involved close collaboration between the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and prosecutors from the ODPP.
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The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has come out and clarified that they charged three former Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) officials with multiple counts of manslaughter and other related offenses following their alleged role in the mismanagement of the Kiteezi landfill not based on the IGGs report.
The landfill’s poor management between July 2020 and August 2024 has been linked to several deaths and injuries, sparking widespread public concern.
The charged officials—Ms. Kisaka Kiyimba Dorothy, former Executive Director of KCCA, Mr. David Ssali Luyimbazi, former Deputy Executive Director, and Dr. Okello Ayen Daniel, former Director of Public Health and Environment—are facing 29 counts of manslaughter, 29 alternative counts of causing death by rash or negligent acts, and 22 counts of causing harm by rash or negligent acts.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ODPP says the charges are the result of a rigorous Prosecution-Guided Investigation (PGI) process and that the investigation involved close collaboration between the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) and prosecutors from the ODPP.
These are denying that Contrary to speculation, the ODPP stated that its decision to prosecute the former KCCA officials was not based on findings from the Inspectorate of Government (IG) report, which also investigated the same landfill issue.
"The ODPP emphasized that its decision was made independently, relying exclusively on evidence gathered through the PGI."
Jacquelyn Okui, the Public Relations Officer for the ODPP, reiterated the office's commitment to ensuring that justice is served through thorough, fair, and independent investigations.
The charging of these individuals reflects the DPP’s mandate to prosecute cases based solely on credible evidence and in the public interest,” Okui noted.
The prosecution of these high-ranking officials is being closely watched as a test of the government's commitment to holding public officials accountable for negligence and mismanagement that result in loss of life.
The Kiteezi landfill, located on the outskirts of Kampala, has long been criticized for its poor management. Local communities and environmental groups have repeatedly raised concerns about its impact on health and the environment.
Between 2020 and 2024, the landfill's deteriorating state allegedly caused several incidents that led to the deaths of over 32 individuals and left many more harmed.
The case against the former KCCA officials signals a serious response to growing demands for better waste management and public accountability.
The ODPP’s handling of the case underscores the broader push toward addressing corruption, mismanagement, and negligence within public institutions.
As the trial unfolds, the public will be watching closely to see how the justice system handles this high-profile case and whether it sets a precedent for future accountability in public office.
The officials have since been arraigned before court and are currently on remand after denying the said charges.