The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Commandant of the Fisheries Protection Unit in Eastern Uganda Capt. Joseph Ssebukera has closed Wanyage landing site in Mafubira Sub County in Jinja district citing poor hygiene.
The landing site, which is home to around 400 people, lacks a functional toilet. The four stanza public latrine that was constructed with funding from Jinja District Fisheries Department in 2012 filled up more than two years ago.
As a result, residents ease themselves directly in Lake Victoria. According to Ssebukera, they tasked the fishermen to construct a pit latrine in vain.
“I have held several meetings with these people and I ordered them to construct a pit latrine one year ago but, my advice has been ignored. Unless they improve on their hygiene, this landing site will remain closed,” he said.
Adding that, “They sell fish to the public and if their hygiene is poor our people might fall sick in the long run, so it is either hygiene first or no landing site.”
He says inspection of landing sites on the Eastern side of Lake Victoria is ongoing, adding that those without minimum hygiene standards comprising of at least a public toilet or pit latrine shall be closed.
Jaberi Mawazi, the chairperson of Fishermen on Wanyage landing site says their businesses will be affected by the closure.
“For sure this penalty is big our businesses will face a setback. But we are ready to cooperate with the responsible authorities to construct several pit latrines on the landing site,” he said.
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