Floods submerge Elegu latrines

AMURU - The recent floods at Elegu town council, Amuru district, have left latrines submerged.

The most affected area in the town council is the Lorikowo East sub-ward.

The residents have no toilet facilities and have resorted to using black polythene papers, commonly referred to as flying toilets.

Despite the challenge, the residents are still using the flood water for washing their clothes, exposing them to hygiene-related diseases.

Elegu is a border point with South Sudan. This year, floods have hit Elegu more than 10 times.

Ann Zaina Mutonyi, the vice-chairperson of Lorikowo West, said: "The only facility we rely on is across the border in Nimule.

But for one to access it, you must have a COVID-19-free certificate from the Ministry of Health.

The other alternative is Atiak Health Centre IV, which is 35km away." Robinah Auma, who operates a restaurant, said after the downpour, most of the water sources were affected, leading to an increase in the price of a jerrycan of water.

"I am renting this house at sh150,000 per month, but there's no business since the whole place is always flooded whenever it rains. In addition to that, I am buying a jerrycan of water at sh2,000 and yet I require about five of them every day," Auma noted.

Residents sleep on roads

Robert Onekalit, the medical team leader of the border health unit, said whenever it floods, people living in the most affected area always have no option apart from sleeping on the road, which is a bit raised.

He asked for the strengthening of the Amuru disaster preparedness response team so that it can adequately address the issues people are facing at the moment.

Jennifer Kyomuhendo, a tea vendor, said whenever it floods, the only dry area people can use is the main road.

She says, however, they are competing for space with the vehicles, especially the trailers.

She said her friend was recently hit by a trailer as she crossed the road to look for where to sleep.