MICHAEL N
Traders and local leaders in Rwahi-Rwentobo Town Council, Ntungamo District, have raised concerns over poor sanitation and lack of clean water in the area.
Rwahi-Rwentobo Market, famous in western Uganda for onion trading, attracts onions from Ntungamo, Rukiga, Kabale, and Kisoro districts.
Speaking to our reporter, Emmanuel Musinguzi and Alice Buryahika, traders at Rwahi Daily Market, said they lack proper latrine facilities, which puts them at risk of disease outbreaks, especially during the rainy season when the stench from onions becomes unbearable. Emmanuel appealed to landowners around the market to construct public latrines and allow traders to use them at a fee to reduce health risks. Alice, on the other hand, expressed dissatisfaction with high taxes collected from traders despite the poor sanitation services.
Other traders, including Hillary Katushabe and Justus Gumisiriza, revealed that over 10 lorries of onions are transported daily from Rwahi Market to different parts of the country. They noted that the market is vast and accommodates a large population, yet lacks essential facilities such as latrines. They also decried high taxes and appealed to government to urgently intervene, especially during this rainy season.
Jackline Turyasigura, the LCIII Councilor for Rwahi-Rwentobo Town Council, also appealed to government to construct modern latrines and extend clean water to the market to curb possible disease outbreaks.
Meanwhile, Sabiiti Stephen Rwigemera, the LCIII Chairperson, said the Town Council tries to maintain cleanliness, but during the onion season the market attracts large crowds from different places, making sanitation difficult to manage. He added that the onion stench worsens during rainy weather, and with increased litter, the risk of disease outbreaks is high.
However, Joga Bright, the Town Clerk of Rwentobo Town Council, urged traders to collect garbage at designated points so that the cleaning team can pick it up every Tuesday and Saturday. He acknowledged that the market currently has only one latrine, which is inadequate for the large number of traders and customers.
