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Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Arua Municipal Council authorities are overwhelmed by the increased sale of meat and cooked food on the streets. Several food vendors have hit the road sides and streets in Arua town as the Christmas festivities draw closer raising concern over hygiene.
The vendors have erected makeshift stalls and butcheries along the dusty road sides and pedestrian walkways. Norah Fathum, the Principal Health Inspector Arua Municipality, says many people are adamant to observe and respect public health guidelines despite repeated condemnation and ban by the authorities.
Godfrey Apangu, the health Inspector in charge solid waste management in Arua municipality, says the failure by food vendors to observe public health measures could result in a spike in hygiene related diseases.
Douglas Feta, a nurse in Oli Health center IV general ward warns the public especially women against buying cooked food being sold on the streets for their children, saying it is a health risk.
He says on average, the health facility receives eight cases of acute diarrhea a day, three quarters of whom are Children
Rasul Candiga a butcher operating along the dusty Onduparaka road in Kebir Cell told URN that that is the only place his customers know and any attempt to evict him could kill his business. “This is where I can get customers, even if it’s dusty, they don’t, mind and always buy the meat,” he told URN.
Jemily Candiru, a food vendor operating a make shift food joint along Aria Nebbi road said ” I had to shift here since its where my customers are and I also sell affordable food to them. Until the Municipality finds a place for all of us, I will be here, “she said.
Some of the vendors who sell petty food items like boiled potatoes, maize, pan cakes among others explained that since their businesses are small, they can better survive along the road sides until the Municipal authorities offer them alternative areas to operate from.
River Oli division, the most populated area in Arua Municipality suffers Cholera outbreaks each year due to poor hygiene practices.
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