NELSON K
Residents of Nyakishenyi Sub County have been urged to improve sanitation and actively participate in community development projects such as cleaning water sources and promoting personal hygiene to prevent the outbreak and spread of diseases.
As the area approaches a change in weather, Tumwesigye Maurim, the Nyakishenyi Sub County Health Officer, shared a sanitation report while speaking to a Boona FM reporter. Based on his inspections and house-to-house surveys, he noted that despite efforts such as constructing toilets and enforcing penalties for those without them, many residents still lack drying racks. Additionally, 35 out of 50 surveyed residents continue to drink unboiled water, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases.
Tumwesigye commended the Raising the Village project for its support in improving water facilities and prioritizing sensitization efforts in hard-to-reach communities. He also criticized residents who reject or avoid participating in community projects, citing an incident in Ngoma Parish where a woman was imprisoned for two days after contaminating a water source near her land.
He further urged residents to report sanitation concerns, such as poor water source conditions, to their respective Village Health Teams (VHTs). Additionally, he emphasized the importance of drinking boiled water and avoiding the use of dirty rainwater. Tumwesigye also called out entrepreneurs in trading centers for failing to maintain sanitation in their areas, noting that many do not employ cleaners to keep their surroundings hygienic.
