Namuwongo residents in dire need of latrines

PIC: Residents of Namuwongo receiving free treatment at the health outreach. (Credit: Vivian Agaba)

Residents of Namuwongo, a Kampala suburb, have pleaded with the Government to come to their rescue and put up more latrines in the area to save them from the likely outbreak of diseases such as typhoid and cholera during this rainy season.

Giving an example of Namuwongo B, James Mutebi, a resident, said the area has a population of at least 5,000 people, but has only two latrines.

He said for one to access the few available latrines, he or she should pay sh200, adding that one household may have more than 10 people, including children, who may have to use the latrine at least twice a day, making it costly.
 
"Many have resorted to defecating in polythene bags and dropping them into the drainages. When it rains, floods carry sewage into our homes and this is likely to lead to the outbreak of typhoid or cholera," Mutebi said.

"Since we are settled in the wetland, the law does not allow us to construct latrines, that is why we are calling upon the Government to construct for us more latrines," said Mutebi.

The 50-year old Annet Namuganza said the area's biggest problem is floods; when it rains, water enter their houses and sometimes, people are forced to sleep outside.

Brenda Namuwange, who hails from Kibuli but works in Namuwongo, said majority of Namuwongo residents do not mind about sanitation, they litter their surrounding with garbage and are at risk of diseases.

She called on the Government to partner with organisations and educate people in about the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation.

They were speaking during a health outreach held at Transam Namuwongo zone on Saturday organised by The International medical foundation (IMF) with its other partners, International Hospital Kampala and Clarke Group.

Over 500 people turned up for the free health services, including; HIV testing and counselling, health education, nutrition services, eye clinic and general medication.

The clinical officer, IMF, Touch Namuwongo, Lydia Athocon said from the interaction with the residents who turned up for services, the biggest health problem among the children was upper respiratory infections such as cough, flu and diarrhea cases, while among the adults, ulcers  and  back pain were common. Urinary tract infections were recorded high in women.

She pointed out that UTIs among women were at 60%, with candida being the commonest, which she said is mostly contracted from sharing dirty latrines. 

Athocon said for hygiene and sanitation conditions to improve in slum areas, health education is key.

On the other hand, she said malaria cases had reduced not only in Namuwongo, but also in Makindye division as well.

She applauded the health ministry for the distribution of mosquito nets, adding that it is this effort that has reduced the incidences of malaria in Kampala.