A catastrophic landslide struck the Kiteezi Landfill in Wakiso District early on August 10, 2024, claiming 34 lives, leaving 28 others missing, and displacing hundreds more. The predawn hours of the disaster sent shockwaves through the community, tearing apart families and burying homes under the rubble.
Following this devastation, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) quickly mobilised to provide relief to the affected residents. Under the leadership of Ntinda Branch Manager, Ms. Zamh Musoke, the NWSC team arrived at the disaster site, bearing essential supplies.
The aid package included; 197kgs of sugar, 32 boxes of milk, 405kgs of rice, 82 sachets of salt, 12 basins, 6 buckets, 225kgs of posho, 190 liters of liquid soap, 85 tablets of bathing soap, 112 packs of pampers, 260 sanitary pads, 560 rolls of toilet paper, 10 jerrycans (5 liters), 10 jerrycans (20 liters), 24 pieces of 500gm detergent, 69 bars of soap, and cartons of 500ml mineral water.
John Cliff Wamala, the Communications Officer for the Uganda Red Cross Society, received the donations on behalf of the caretaking committee, which also includes representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister and Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA). Wamala praised NWSC for their timely intervention, highlighting the pressing needs of the approximately 300 families now confined to temporary shelters. Among the displaced, 150 children and 27 lactating mothers face severe shortages of balanced nutrition and other critical necessities, making the corporation’s contributions all the more significant.
NWSC’s commitment to the welfare of the displaced went beyond providing food, bedding, and hygiene products. Prior to this charitable gesture, the Luteete branch worked tirelessly to address the urgent water supply needs of the displaced residents in the Lusanja area. With the collaboration of the camp management team, they launched a pilot study to determine the best location for new water tapping points, and that very day, installed two taps within the camp, which have been very fundamental in ensuring hygiene.
The affected community, though reeling from the disaster, expressed profound gratitude for NWSC’s swift response. Many beneficiaries, choosing to remain anonymous, spoke of the corporation as the first government entity to deliver such wide-ranging and meaningful support, recognising the tangible impact these donations had on their daily survival, especially the children and women’s nutrition and sanitary needs.
NWSC is committed to water, sanitation, and social responsibility for all.
