Govt sued over nodding disease

By Andante Okanya

Kitgum Woman MP Beatrice Atim Anywar has sued Government, purporting it has failed in its obligation to curb the mysterious nodding disease syndrome in the north.

In the suit jointly filed with Kilak County MP Gilbert Olanya, at the High Court in Kampala, they state that they have sued on behalf of the nodding disease patients, whose rights have been violated because of government laxity. It was filed on May 25 through Akunobera Akena solicitors and advocates.

"The plaintiffs bring this suit against the defendants for declaration that government actions and omissions in respect to the nodding disease, violate the right to life, education, freedom from discrimination, freedom from cruel and inhumane treatment and will seek declarations and compensation for the affected people," the duo state.

The disease is physically disabling disease, and its cause has remained unknown to date, with scientists being speculative. The affected districts are Gulu, Kitgum, Lamwo, Pader, and Agago.

It salient features include head nodding, epileptic seizure, neurological deterioration, cognitive or mental retardation among others.

Additionally, the duo claim government is not taking serious steps through the Health ministry to combat this disease, stating that it has wreaked havoc since 1997.They also assert that the World Health Organisation has implored government to take precaution.

"The disease remains unchecked and not managed between 1997 and 2012 when the ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation came up with a report which recommended for surveillance tools and monitoring the disease and also training health workers to manage the disease in 2012," they assert.

The MPs claim government is concealing vital public information, alleging it is non-committal on disclosing findings of the disease contained in a report released by Centre for Disease Control. They are demanding the report be made public.

The duo fault the Finance Ministry and Parliament, alleging it has denied funding to curb the disease but approved other supplementary budgets. Anywar also claims some legislators have thwarted her attempts to have the Acholi sub region declared a disaster area.

Recently, Soroti Woman MP Alice Alaso, seconded by Anywar, attempted to move a motion to have the region declared a disaster area.

Through their lawyers of Akunobera Akena solicitors and advocates, the legislators are among others seeking court orders compelling government to fund the budgets of Health ministry to help combat the epidemic.

They also want court to compel government to compensate the affected families and those who have lost family members.
The legislators further want court to compel government through the education ministry and put in place measures to take care of special needs of children affected with the nodding disease.

This suit comes bare a week when an NGO (Health Watch-Uganda) sued government over the nodding the disease too before Gulu high court.

The NGO is among others accusing government for not doing enough to address the plight thereby violating their rights to live a good life.

Court is yet to summon the Attorney General to file its defense to this suit before a hearing date can be fixed.