Wakiso health officials crack down on poor sanitation and hazardous food practices
Health officials in Wakiso District conducted a major operation in Mmende Town to address poor sanitation and unsafe food preparation practices, warning that such conditions pose serious health risks.
The crackdown targeted residents without proper sanitation facilities and food vendors cooking with plastic bags, a practice that could lead to the spread of diseases caused by poor hygiene.
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During the operation, officials discovered several sanitation lapses, including toilets in disrepair, lacking doors, and failing to meet basic hygiene standards.
Property owners were ordered to renovate these facilities to comply with health regulations.
Additionally, health officials confiscated food items cooked in plastic bags and instructed the vendors to cease using hazardous materials.
Local leader Chris Paul Ssempuya expressed concerns about the persistent health risks in the community due to poor hygiene. He noted that despite repeated warnings, many residents remain indifferent to maintaining proper sanitation, likening their resistance to that of a stubborn animal.
Ssempuya also highlighted the challenges in motivating residents to build latrines, pointing out that even the local police station lacks proper sanitation facilities and relies on neighboring establishments.
Efforts to address these issues in council meetings have so far been ineffective, as residents often justify their non-compliance by citing the police's lack of facilities.
Fazil Bubuulo the health officer overseeing the area, stated that the district is committed to ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all residents. He emphasized that these enforcement operations will continue until proper sanitation standards are consistently met.
One of the local food vendors acknowledged the importance of the health officials' work and urged fellow vendors to adopt safe cooking methods.
He stressed that using plastic bags for cooking poses severe health risks and encouraged compliance with safer practices.
