By Amos Ssemuwemba
The Minister of ICT and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, has endorsed President Yoweri Museveni’s decisive action to sack senior officials at the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) following the tragic collapse of the Kiteezi landfill, which resulted in the deaths of over 30 people.
On Tuesday, President Museveni removed KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka, her deputy David Luyimbazi, and the Director for Public Health, Dr. Daniel Okello, from their positions, citing negligence in their handling of the landfill, which led to the catastrophe.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Minister Baryomunsi commended the president’s bold stance, stating that it was necessary given the gravity of the situation.
“The president has made a bold decision to act swiftly in the wake of this tragedy. We must ask, where were these officials when the landfill reached such a critical state that it ended in the loss of innocent lives? This is a failure that could have been averted if KCCA had been more proactive in its duties,” Baryomunsi remarked.
Baryomunsi further urged that this dismissal should serve as a broader call to review other government departments’ performances. He emphasized the need for accountability across all sectors.
“The president’s actions should not stop at KCCA alone but should extend to other government departments. Where incompetence or negligence is found, we must act decisively. This is a wake-up call for everyone to take their jobs seriously.”
Baryomunsi expressed support for the president’s directive, stressing that the Kiteezi incident should be a turning point for public officials.
“There is a culture of laziness and lack of seriousness in the way many government officials conduct their work. This tragedy and the subsequent presidential action are a clear message that Ugandans deserve better, and officials entrusted with serving them must do their jobs effectively,” Baryomunsi added.
The Kiteezi landfill collapse, which buried several homes and claimed lives, has sparked public outrage, with many calling for comprehensive reforms within KCCA and other city authorities to prevent such disasters in the future.