George Mutabazi, the LCV chairman for Lwengo is one of the most popular albeit controversial local politicians.
In 2012 just one year in office, Mutabazi launched a campaign “Making Lwengo clean” and on several occasions moved with a stick with which he whipped those who did not adhere to the minimum sanitation standards.
Now he is back with a bang this time with a proposal that will surely raise eyebrows.
He has declared that pupils without shoes in Lwengo district should be barred from schools and has issued a directive to all headmasters to this effect.
He said that many learner in Lwengo trek long distances from their homes to schools where they go to latrines barefooted.
In the end, they contract diseases.
Mutabazi said poor hygiene costs Uganda Shs 30 billion annually therefore if pupils are forced to wear shoes, the country will save big.
"It should be a collective responsibility between parents and other key stakeholders to improve sanitation standards but not only government as its perceived by locals” Mutabazi said.
FARISH MAGEMBE