Masindi Leaders Raise Alarm on Alarming Sanitation and Hygiene Shortfalls

Leaders in Masindi District have voiced serious concerns over inadequate sanitation and hygiene, linking them to rising preventable illnesses like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid.

A new report from the Masindi District Health Department shows only 74.8 percent of households meet basic Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) standards, trailing the national average of 88 percent. Many lack proper latrines and handwashing setups.

Kimengo Sub-County performs worst, with just 55 percent latrine access and 14.7 percent functional handwashing stations equipped with soap and water. Residents blame poverty, collapsing pits in rainy seasons, cultural habits, and long treks for water that prioritize cooking over hygiene.

Conversely, Kijunjubwa Sub-County excels at 97.3 percent latrine coverage and 28 percent handwashing facilities, thanks to community drives and bylaw enforcement.

Assistant District Health Officer Patrick Baguma stressed that 75 percent of local diseases are preventable, with 60 percent tied to poor WASH. He urged more interventions to cut health costs.

District Vice Chairperson Kassim Kabagonza highlighted behavior change alongside infrastructure, pushing for hygiene education from childhood and mandating sanitation in building approvals.

Safe water access is at 70 percent overall, but urban areas lag at 20 percent versus 94 percent rural. Schools struggle too, with a 54:1 pupil-to-latrine ratio exceeding the 40:1 standard and inconsistent soap and water.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)