COVID-19: Slums not complying with health ministry guidelines

HEALTH  COVID-19

KAMPALA - Compliance with the ministry of health guidelines on COVID-19 in the slum areas of Kampala remains a nightmare.

In those areas, there is no adherence to social distancing, handwashing, wearing of masks, temperature measuring guns, sanitizers, among others.

Yoka zone in Bukasa parish in Makindye Division serves well as an example. The area according to the village chairperson, James Ochola, has a population of about 3500 people but none of the measures is practised.

Their houses are built along a big open drainage system which itself is a potential source of diseases like malaria.

 
The local authorities claim they have played their role in sensitizing and enforcing the measures, but people are adamant.

Awuleria Nantege a resident of Yoka zone is scared of the virus. She prays that COVID-19 never gets into their area. 

"If people here get infected, it will be bad news," she says.

"The people here do not mind at all of the ministry of health guidelines. They have a misconception that the disease is not meant for them," she revealed.

She said access to clean water to wash hands itself is a challenge. "I appeal to Government, non-state actors and other well-wishers to support our community in addressing this challenge of water shortage."

"Our people here are poor, they cannot afford masks and even soap," Nantege added.

In a bid to rescue the community, Rotarians from the Rotary Club of Kisugu Victoria View, yesterday donated sanitary items which included 32 cartons of bar soap, 10 pedal-operated handwashing stations worth among others.

 
According to Goretti Masadde, the president of the Club, the donation was made possible with support from Rotary International, Rotary District 9211, API Technologies a local company and RC KVV.

Other partners that the club is working with in the area include CivSource Africa, Bank of Uganda, Centenary Bank, Labour College for instruction, Makindye division, KCCA head office for urban farming/ economic development and Water for people for WASH technical support.

The Makindye Division Deputy Resident City Commissioner, Ibrahim Kagolola, asked the residents to put the items to proper use as he thanked the Rotarians for the humanitarian gesture. He appealed for more support.