The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Kasangati, Wakiso District, has granted bail to three former senior officials from Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on Monday.

The trio—Dorothy Kisaka, the former executive director; her deputy Eng. David Luyimbazi; and Dr. Daniel Okello, ex-director of public health—face 57 charges in connection with the Kiteezi Landfill disaster on August 10, which led to the deaths of over 34 people and left numerous others injured and homeless.

Chief Magistrate Beatrice Khainza set their bail at 5 million Ugandan shillings in cash for each of the accused, with an additional 100 million shillings bond for each surety, payable in non-cash form.

Magistrate Khainza cited Article 23 of the Ugandan Constitution, bail guidelines, and section 77 of the Magistrates’ Court Act in her decision, noting that the prosecution had not objected to the sureties presented by the defendants.

Each defendant was required to surrender their passport to the court and was barred from leaving the country without permission. The accused are scheduled to appear in court again on November 26, 2024.

“I have looked at the documents presented by sureties, and the prosecution has not opposed them. I have addressed my mind to the law, specifically Article 23 of the Constitution, the bail guidelines, and Section 77 of the Magistrate Court Act. I accordingly release each of the accused persons at sh5m cash, and each of the sureties is bonded at sh100m, not cash,” Khainza ruled.

The court further noted that investigations are still in the early stages, with no clear timeline for their conclusion, thus allowing the accused temporary release.

The Case and Charges

Kisaka, Luyimbazi, and Okello were remanded to Luzira Prison on October 18, 2024, after being charged with multiple counts of manslaughter and negligence in connection with the Kiteezi landfill collapse in August 2024.

Prosecution contends that as former KCCA top bosses, the trio acted negligently in their respective positions, leading to the death of over 34 people following the Kiteezi landfill slide.

Regarding manslaughter, the prosecution alleges that between July 2020 and August 10, this year at various places within Kampala City and Kiteezi landfill, Lusanja village, Kiteezi ward, Kasangati town council in Wakiso district, the trio being persons bearing responsibility for the safe and proper management of Kiteezi landfill by a series of unlawful acts or omissions to wit continuing to operate Kiteezi landfill without the relevant permits and licences. 

The prosecution argues that their actions directly contributed to the disaster, as they permitted the landfill to operate without proper permits and failed to evacuate residents from the danger zone.