TYPHOID: Entebbe bans food vendors

By Agnes Nantambi 

FOOD vendors have been banned from Division B in Entebbe municipality in response to the recent typhoid outbreak in the country. 

According to Entebbe Division B officials, rental units and lodges without toilet facilities will also be closed. 

Speaking at the end of the sanitation week at Nakiwogo landing site market on Friday, the municipal council health inspector, Jimmy Massa, said the measures are aimed at defending Entebbe’s position as the cleanest town in Uganda. 

Entebbe emerged winner of Vision Group’s inaugural clean town competition with a score of 68.7% in the survey which rated 122 towns. It was followed by Fort Portal with (65.5%) and Jinja (52.8%). 

Massa said the municipal council has embarked on a door-to-door campaign on hygiene and sanitation. He asked court to fine or imprison culprits for three months or both, while residences without latrines will be closed. 

Massa added that the municipal council intends to emphasise hygiene in the suburbs as part of the efforts to defend its number one ranking. The sanitation week is part of the celebrations to mark the World Water Day today under the theme, “Water for sustainable Development”. 

Eng. Anthony Seggujja, the chairman of Division B Entebbe municipality observed that garbage management and disposal are still a big challenge for the residents due to lack of sanitation facilities. 

The acting commissioner rural water, Eng. Ahmed Sentumbwe, who represented the permanent secretary of the ministry, warned the people against dumping garbage in the lake saying it could one day lead to its extinction. He urged them to ensure that the lake shores are free from dumping.