Kiteezi Landfill Massacre: KCCA Health & Environment Director Dr. Okello Should Resign

Things are likely to turn south for Dr. Daniel Ayen Okello, the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) Director of Public Health and Environment, as calls for his resignation intensify. According to sources within KCCA, Dr. Okello’s reappointment hangs in the balance amid growing criticism over his management of key environmental and public health issues in the city.

Dr. Okello, whose current term expires in a month, has been seeking support from various offices, including City Hall and the President’s office, to secure his reappointment. However, whispers from within the corridors of power suggest that his efforts may be in vain. Dr. Okello, a relative of Minister Okello Oryem and former first son, has been faulted for several failures under his watch, raising questions about his suitability to continue in his role.

The Kiteezi Landfill Crisis

One of the most damning criticisms against Dr. Okello is his alleged mismanagement of the Kiteezi landfill, a crucial waste management site in Kampala. The landfill, which is supposed to serve as a model of waste management in the city, has instead become a symbol of neglect and failure. Reports indicate that the landfill lacks essential infrastructure, such as a weighbridge, which is critical for accurately measuring the amount of waste being processed.

Moreover, the garbage compacting process at the landfill has been poorly managed, leading to inefficiencies and environmental hazards. Despite a substantial annual budget of Sh3 billion allocated for the landfill’s maintenance, the site lacks operational laboratories and sewage treatment facilities. This neglect has put the landfill at risk of dangerous slides, prompting residents in the surrounding areas to threaten legal action against KCCA.

In addition to the issues at Kiteezi, Dr. Okello is also being criticized for the state of the 13-acre garbage dumping site in Dundu, Mukono District. This site, which was meant to alleviate the waste management burden on Kiteezi, has remained redundant for over six years. Instead of being utilized for its intended purpose, the land has been encroached upon by unauthorized settlers, further compounding the waste management crisis in the city.

Dr. Okello’s leadership has also come under fire for his handling of the workforce within his directorate. Allegations have surfaced that casual workers in the Public Health and Environment Directorate have been frustrated by delayed payments and poor working conditions. Dr. Okello has been accused of failing to approve payment requests in a timely manner, tarnishing the reputation of KCCA as an employer.

Additionally, over 80% of the staff under his supervision are temporary or casual workers, which has hampered the effective implementation of government programs, including recent health campaigns. Dr. Okello’s failure to request the recruitment of permanent staff has left the directorate understaffed and struggling to meet its objectives.

Critics have also pointed to Dr. Okello’s alleged tendency to centralize authority within his office, leaving the directorate paralyzed during his absences. This lack of delegation has been cited as another factor contributing to the inefficiencies within the Public Health and Environment Directorate.

Dr. Okello’s appointment in 2018 was widely seen as politically motivated, given his familial ties to the late ex-president Tito Okello. He was appointed as the acting director alongside Ms. Grace Akullo, the current Director of Human Resources, during the tenure of Betty Amongi as Minister for Kampala. His appointment was perceived as an effort to accommodate the Okello family within the KCCA leadership.

As Dr. Okello’s tenure nears its end, the KCCA’s technical wing is reportedly reconsidering his reappointment. With mounting evidence of mismanagement, the decision could mark a turning point for the Public Health and Environment Directorate, which plays a pivotal role in ensuring the health and productivity of Kampala’s citizens.

The stakes are high, as the directorate is responsible for guiding KCCA in the efficient management of public health and the environment. The outcome of this decision will not only affect Dr. Okello’s future but also the well-being of millions of residents in the city who depend on KCCA for a clean, habitable, and sustainable environment.

In the face of these challenges, many are now calling for Dr. Okello to step down and allow for new leadership to address the pressing issues that have plagued his tenure. The Kiteezi landfill crisis, the redundant Dundu site, and the mismanagement of human resources all point to a need for change at the helm of the Public Health and Environment Directorate. As the clock ticks down on Dr. Okello’s term, the question remains: will KCCA make the tough decision to prioritize the city’s future over political connections, or will it continue down the path of stagnation and inefficiency?