The ministry of Water and Environment has certified 15 villages in Bukabooli and Bukatuube sub counties in Mayuge district as being free from open defecation.
This was after a research by World Vision Uganda that reflected a high prevalence rate of diseases caused by open defecation that had resulted into an influx of intestinal worms at 16%, bilharzia at 28%, and elephantiasis amongst the locals.
Open defection is a United Nations programme aimed at improving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) action against open defecation in areas with low access to toilets and latrines.
In order to overcome this problem, World Vision championed a number of interventions ranging from the construction of a pipe water system in Bukabooli and Bukatuube sub counties to ensure that every household has a hand washing facility, drying racks and improving on the available latrines.
Before, toilet coverage in the area was low due to high levels of ignorance on the impact of open defecation.
Moses Kato, the coordinator of village health team hailed World Vision Uganda for the interventions saying that many people are changing from practicing open defecations.
“People were ignorant which made them not use toilets at that time. But because of these interventions, some have changed and I think as more interventions are undertaken, people will completely change,” Kato said.
Dr Edward Naguyo, the environment health officer Mayuge district revealed that the ancient way of life had ruined people’s lives based on the fact that the highest percentage of people live on islands and at shores of the lake where people see no need for toilets.
He said years back toilet coverage in the district was at only 15%.
Courtesy photo.
