UGANDA: 20 arrested in Budaka over lack of pit-latrines

BUDAKA - An operation mounted by the district health department in collaboration with Lyama Sub-county leadership has arrested 20 people for lack of pit-latrines.

The exercise overseen by the district health assistant, Ms Jemima Nantongo, was carried out in the swampy areas of Suni and Tandemeri.

Residents living around swampy areas have no pit-latrines, which translates to about 38 per cent of the total figure in the whole district.

Ms Nantongo said low latrine coverage and water scarcity had impeded efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene in the district.

The district has now moved to enforce a by-law to compel each household to own a latrine

Mr Robert Ochola, the district health inspector, said about 40 per cent out of 120,000 people in Budaka District doesn’t have a pit latrine. 

He said a number of sanitation campaigns have been organised to sensitize residents of the importance of pit latrines.

Mr Arthur Mboizi, the Budaka LC5 chairperson told the Daily Monitor that poor latrine coverage and drinking of unsafe water are some of the causes of cholera, dysentery, diarrhea outbreak.

“Residents should stop intimidating leaders by threatening that they would not vote us back for having asked them to improve their health. It’s our responsibility to stand firm and guide the electorate despite threats” Mr Mboizi said.

“Time of politicking is over. Voters should adhere to programmes that are geared towards their welfare. But this business of threatening that they will not vote us back to various offices should stop. We shall not succumb to their pressure”.

The district health officer, Mr Sam Wajega, said that lack of pit latrine still remain a big challenge as it continues to increase the disease burden against meager resources. 

The most affected sub-county sub-counties are Kamonkoli, Kaderuna, Lyama and Kameruna. Mr Wajega says by 2015 the district will have to meet the MDGs in infrastructure, health, education.

“This is a significant move in the fight against diseases that are caused by poor hygiene. Many diseases that are reported to the health centres in the district can be prevented and because of the laxity by our people to improve on their sanitation and hygiene remains a big challenge” Ms Nantongo said.

DAILY MONITOR UGANDA: