Worrying sanitation standards in Elegu

The Office of the Prime Minister is overwhelmed by the increasing number of refugees coming from South Sudan and yet the sanitation standards at Elegu reception centre are low.

By Friday midday, at least 10,000 refugees had arrived at the center which has six only six stances of toilets and two bathing shelters for women.

Godfrey Byaruhanga, the settlement commandant at Elegu border point, said there is urgent need for better sanitary facilities since the ratio of the users does not match the facilities.

He told New Vision that the number would have been kept low at the center but there is limited means of transporting those cleared.

He said the center should be equipped with adequate facilities since the refugees take about three days before being cleared to head to Adjumani.

"We only have 15 trucks and more 15 are wanted so that those cleared are transported immediately to Nyumanzi Resettlement Centre in Adjumani district," he said.

On Thursday, about 8,000 refugees were received and only 3,500 were resettled. The influx has been attributed to South Sudan immigration department opening the border for its citizens to cross into Uganda.

Betty Kadi from Moli sub-county in Magwi county said she had spent four days at the center without being cleared.

"We have not bathed for the last three days and the food being served is not enough for all. I have to incur sh1000 every day to buy two jerry cans of water," she said.

Martin Acaa, a Madi from Kelepi Village in Magwi-county said unless there's an assurance from his [South Sudan] government of everlasting peace, he will not go back.

"We are basically farmers and by this time our crops were ready for harvest. The education future of our children is in balance," he said.

New Vision observed that most of the refugees entering Uganda are of the Madi ethnic group and majority being women and children.

Simon Komakech Aludi, the executive director of Caritas Archdiocese of Northern Uganda, re-echoed the need for urgent intervention to improve sanitation standards at the reception centre following the influx.

Aludi cited the urgency of providing water for drinking and bathing, food, and shelters at the reception center which refugees are entitled to.

He made the call on Friday after a cleanup by Acholi Religious Leaders and Peace Initiative (ARLPI) of the reception ground that was hosting over 30,000 Ugandans that have been evacuated from South Sudan.

Members from CSO, Police and UNHCR taking part in the cleaning of the ground that has been accomodating Ugandan returnees at Elegu

The exercise was also embraced by Police, UPDF, UNHCR, Bishop Johnson Gakumba of Northern Uganda and residents of Elegu.

The religious leaders called for urgent evacuation of Ugandans who are still stranded in South Sudan at the Ugandan embassy, Magwi county and other provinces.

"Ugandans that are still in Juba are lacking food and water. The Ugandan government should respond to this need," urged Aludi.