By Godfrey Muhumuza
The Uganda peoples Defense Forces-UPDF soldiers have tasked the fishing communities in Bunyoro Sub Region to promote and observe good hygiene and sanitation.
Lt.Col Edward Ijjo, the Commanding officer 151 marine battalion says, it is critical for residents settling along the shores of lake Albert to promote hygiene and sanitation in order to stay healthy.
He says, in most cases, people settling on the shores of Lake Albert suffer from diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, malaria and typhoid among others due to poor health practices adding that most of the landing sites have got inadequate sanitation facilities.
Ijjo was commanding a team of UPDF soldiers to clan various landing sites,markets and health facilities in Hoima and Kikuube districts today ahead of the 44thTarehe sita celebrations.
The soldiers participated and cleaned Kaiso, Kijangi, Kyehoro and Mbegu landing sites in Hoima and Kikuube. The UPDF also cleaned Kyehoro health center III in Kikuube district.
During the cleaning exercise, it was discovered that most of the landing sites do not have dumping sites for garbage hence causing health risks to the communities.
Ijjo says, the UPDF do not only depend on military work and that by cleaning the landing sites, but it is also an indication that the force wants the fishing communities to embrace good hygiene.
He says, it is a sign of peaceful co-existence with the community in promoting health service delivery adding that UPDF’s commitment in cleaning the landing sites shows friendship with the civilians.
Ijjo has tasked leaders in the area to mobilise the fishing communities to embrace sanitation for the safety of their health.
Innocent Irumba, the in charge of Kyehoro Health Center III hailed the UPDF soldiers for their swift action in cleaning the health facility and showing the public that they need to live in healthy and clean environment.
He has appealed to people in the area to avoid defecating or dumping waste indiscriminately, as this increases the risk of disease.Geofrey Kumakech, the Buseruka sub county LCV Councilor in Hoima district who joined the UPDF in the cleaning exercise applauded the force for being exemplary and pro people.
He explains that, there is an urgent need for more sanitation facilities to be established along the shores of lake Albert to boost hygiene tasking the communities to develop proper waste disposal management.
David Bedijo, a resident of Kyehoro landing site noted that most people settling along the shores of lake Albert shores are at the verge of contracting diseases due to poor sanitation. He wants the UPDF to conduct the cleaning exercise on a monthly basis.
Many people around the Lake Albert shores lack access to clean drinking water, improved sanitation and improved health facilities.
This year’s 44th Tarehe sita celebrations will be celebrated tomorrow in greater Masaka.
