MBARARA: A number of 32 food vendors, restaurant operators, and chapatti makers in Mbarara City have been arrested over poor food hygiene.
These were arrested during a Health and Sanitation operation organized by the City Council aimed at improving food hygiene and sanity in Mbarara city.
According to the council, the suspects were found cooking food in polythene bags and plastic sacks which are harmful to human health. The council noted the persistence in using plastic bags in cooking and vowed to fight the habit.
Robert Kakyebeezi, the Mbarara City Mayor appealed to food vendors in Mbarara to improve on food hygiene and value the health of the people who consume their food. He advised them to use banana leaves because they are affordable and health.
Polythene bags are a threat to environment and cause various health hazzards on humans such as diseases like cancer disease.
In Uganda, the law to ban the use of polythene bags “kaveera” as its called has become a failure despite endless calls by environmentalists, and the media.
Mr KATO Asiimwe, the resident Government Attorney also member of the operation has asked businessmen and food vendors in Mbarara to stay away from improper disposal and use of kaveera as its against NEMA laws on conserving the environment.
Asiimwe advised food vendors to properly clean areas surrounding places of their operations and to also ensure that the used waters collect in the sewage lines.
