Uganda: City slum dwellers seek help on sanitation

Posted on September 3, 2010 by westerhof| Leave a comment
Residents living along the Nakivubo Channel in Namuwongo Zone B, one of the most unhygienic slums in the city, have asked the Government to improve sanitation there to fight malaria. Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water. The appeal was made at Muyenga Community Police Post Hall in Makindye Division where officials from the health ministry, with the assistance from local council (LC) authorities, distributed 9,050 treated mosquito nets.
The beneficiaries were mainly mothers, children under five years and the elderly. This was the first phase of the countrywide campaign against malaria. Venance Kakooza, a resident, said: "We have been appealing to our leaders to consider unblocking the trenches and stop rich people from the upper side from letting their sewage flow into our houses to no avail."
He said the sewage was a threat to their health, adding that residents had also complained of the stench. "We thank the Government for giving us nets but it should work on the source of the problem," Kakooza said.
The Inspector General of Police, Maj. Gen. Kale Kayihura, a resident of the area, visited the distribution centre and commended the Police for working together with the local leaders in mobilising residents and for ensuring a peaceful distribution exercise.
The vice-chairperson of Muyenga Hill Zone, Beatrice Mbabazi, said the area comprises 14 zones. She added that LC officials registered the beneficiaries in each home and gave out coupons for obtaining the items.
Source: Eddie Sejjoba, New Vision / allAfrica.com, 1 September 2010