MUKONO – Fishermen at Katosi landing site are at risk of contracting water-borne diseases due to poor human waste management at the site, local health authorities have revealed
For over four years, the site continues to harbour over 300 fishermen of Rwandan dissent who are involved in the flourishing silverfish business in Kizaalabuganda ward.
The lack of pit latrines in the area has made residents resort to using bushes and the lake.
The LCI of the area Mr. Davis Ssegirinya made the revelations with the growing health concerns in the area.
‘We have registered over 300 Rwandans – in addition to the local populations – residing in Kizaalabuganda ward. The latrine being used was constructed on personal land. However, we are in the final stages of negotiating with the landowner to construct a new one for the community,” said Ssegirinya
On another note, the Katosi Youth Chairperson, Mr. Ibrahim Lumanyika, revealed that it was barely four months since they advised the residents to stop using this community pit latrine that had developed crack and would collapse any time.
However, some residents said that they move to the nearby villages for convenience
Mr. Deo Biringiro, one of the Rwandese said that they are currently moving to the nearby villages to ease themselves.
He asked the authorities to construct for them a new latrine to improve on the sanitation in their community.
With so many reports made about their situation, they said that nothing has been done to help them.
The Leader of the Rwandese community at Katosi, Mr. Paul Niragire said:
“We reported the matter to the authorities, we even solicited some money from them towards constructing a new Pit latrine which they have delayed to construct.”
He added that he advised his colleagues to use latrines in the next communities although some of them disagreed with him.
Despite the fact that the landing site was put to a level of a town council two years ago, it has not received any funding from the government.
