TYPHOID: KCCA sets tough measures for food vendors

By Jeff Andrew, Juliet Waiswa and Lawrence Mulondo

AS a strategy to neutralize the spread of typhoid, Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has set tight measures on food vendors in the city and its suburbs.

All food vendors not meeting the required standards face closure and their licenses canceled.

KCCA’s director Public Health and environment, Dr. David Serukka said they have increased health inspectors to visit all eating places in all the divisions to check whether they meet the required standards.

“Our inspectors will also be sensitizing the owners on the epidemic and how it can be avoided,” he said.

Serukka stressed that no more preparing food on verandas and pavements, open spaces like the park and an alienated public land without permission from KCCA.

All those operating eateries and serving food will be subjected to medical tests before they are allowed to operate.

“All these people have to be diagnosed as a prerequisite to make sure they are in good health to serve others,” he added.

Those found operating eateries without license will be arrested to face the law.

He said the measures are meant to curb the spread of typhoid in city and other outbreaks like Cholera in future.

On Sunday KCCA closed seven shopping arcades over poor sanitation. The move followed a typhoid outbreak in the city which affected over 1000 people.

Serukka revealed that figures of typhoid patients have increased, but declined to reveal figure. “Majority of the patients are male in their mid-thirties”.

Many of the patients reside from Kasubi, Nsambya, Kawala and Kazo, operating businesses in Nakasero market, Owino, Old Park, Qualicell and New Taxi Park.

Serukka said they are engaging leaders of taxi parks, and other affected areas in sensitizing the people on typhoid prevention and treatment.

He noted that being a food and waterborne disease, the inspectorate team has been directed to re-inspect, educate and close the potential sources of the infection.

At all other Division Urban Authorities, health inspectors are working together with Village Health Teams (VHT) to sensitize the locals on the causes and encouraging them avoid drinking unboiled water especially that packed in polythene bags.

"We are sensitizing people through leaders of different groups like market leaders, boda-boda riders and youth groups," the deputy Mayor Nakawa, Betty Tushabe said.

Rubaga division town clerk, James Luyimbazi said they already embarked on the inspection of all eating places to make sure the required standards are followed.