Kaziimba calls for special livelihood, housing project for Kiteezi victims

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Church of Uganda Archbishop has asked the Government to set up a special livelihood and housing project for the Kiteezi tragedy victims.

“The Government should set up a special livelihoods and housing project for the victims to ensure their quick economic recovery and also ensure their community and household resilience in a long-term,” Kaziimba says.

He made the call on August 19, 2024, during the compassionate, solidarity and memorial prayers at Kiteezi Holding camp at Kiteezi Church of Uganda Primary School which was organised by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU).

The remarks by Kaziimba have come at a time after a heap of garbage slid on August 10, killing over 30 people, animals and destroying property.

Second left is His Eminence Metropolitan Jeroynmos Muzeeyi the Archbishop of the Orthodox, Bishop Moses Odongo, the National Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal Churches in Uganda (NFBPC), the Archbishop of Church of Uganda Samuel Stephen Kaziimba Mugalu handing over relief items to victims of the Kiteezi tragedy through Red Cross. Besides Kazimba is John Cliff Wamala the communication officer of the Uganda Red Cross and other officials of the Red Cross. This was in Kiteezi shortly after the compassionate, solidarity and memorial prayers held at Kiteezi Holding camp at Kiteezi Church of Uganda Primary School on August 19. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

Kaziimba, who is also IRCU chairperson, there is still more work that needs to be done by the disaster preparedness ministry adding that the Kiteezi tragedy should be a lesson to the Government and the people.

The Archbishop commended the religious fraternity, communities and the local authorities for the prompt response to save lives and property before the rescue teams were dispatched.

“We thank the organisations and individuals who responded and provided essential basic support to the affected persons so as to enable quicker recovery and restoration,” Kaziimba said.

He appealed to security and the government to stop blocking people from accessing their homes.

“There are some people whose houses were not hit by the garbage, these people should be allowed to access their homes. They should be allowed to pick their belongings. Why should a person suffer as if he is a foreigner in his own country,” Kaziimba said?

Bishop Moses Odongo, the National Fellowship of Born-Again Pentecostal Churches in Uganda (NFBPC) noted that most of the disasters that Uganda faces do not take us by surprise adding that these are things that are foreseen.

“Government should stop waiting too long and procrastinate responses to issues that save our people,” Odongo said.

Charles Kasibante, the Vicar General of the Kampala Archdiocese commiserated with the residents of Lusanja adding that government should always give priority to people’s lives.

“The government should speed up the process of verifying and assessing the victims’ property. For how long will these people be staying in the camp,” Kasibante said.

In company of the IRCU leadership was the deputy Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Muhammad Ali Waswa, Joshua Kitakule the secretary General of IRCU, Pr. Dr. Moses Maka Ndimukika the president of Seventh-day Adventist, Bishop Simon Peter Emiau, the Presiding Bishop-Pentecostal Assemblies of God and Bishop Andrew Lugoloobi Secretary General Born Again Faith in Uganda.

The team also donated washing soap, salt and maize flour to the victims through the Red Cross.