RDC closes kiosks and rentals over lack of toilets

Oct 01, 2017

Pallisa town council, which has a population of over 35,000 people, has only one public toilet.

PIC: Pallisa RDC John Watenyeli Nabende inspects a building in the town. (Credit: Lawrence Okwakol)

HEALTH | PALIISA


Ten kiosks and 28 rental premises along Hudson Street in Pallisa town council have been closed due to poor hygiene.

John Watenyeli Nabende, the Pallisa resident district commissioner, said he directed the closures to avert possible outbreak of diseases.

Watenyeli said people residing in this area and those dealing with food don't have pit latrines or toilets, but instead defecate in the polythene bags, then throw them on the street.

"I cannot wait for the outbreak of cholera and begin writing reports to the ministry of health for intervention. I have instructed the landlords to have places of convenience set up in two weeks," Watenyeli said.

John Michael Okurut, the Pallisa district chairperson, blamed the town council authorities for the mess in town, saying they have failed to keep the town tidy.

Okurut said Pallisa town council, which has a population of over 35,000 people, has only one public toilet.

 

 

 



"The garbage in town is not routinely collected, forcing people do handle their businesses in filthy environments, yet we have people that the Government pays to ensure hygiene and sanitation in town", Okurut said.

In response, Yusuf Zoomu, the area  LC3 chairperson, said it was not in order for Okurut to point fingers at Nicholas Ogwang the town clerk and John Okia the health inspector because the politicians who give protection to culprits have never sensitised the communities.

Ogwang said National Water and Sewerage Corporation had taken over Pallisa and that the problems would soon be solved.

"We are going to construct flash toilets in the park main market, industrial area, schools district and town council offices. Landlords whose premises have been closed should pick forms from NWSC," he  said.

Okia said most of the food vendors operate illegally and whenever his office tries to implement the closure of their businesses, politicians interfere.

"I applaud the RDC's move," Okia said.

 

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