A new sanitation report has revealed an alarming hygiene gap in Nyabbani Sub County, Kitagwenda District, where 95 percent of families do not wash their hands with soap and sufficient water after visiting latrines.
The findings were released on Tuesday by Johnson Musinguzi, the Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Environment and Sanitation, during the launch of a major sanitation campaign in the area.
He said the low practice of handwashing places residents at heightened risk of preventable diseases.
“This means that out of 100 families, only five wash their hands after using the latrine, which exposes the community to preventable diseases,” Musinguzi said.
He added that latrine coverage in Nyabbani currently stands at 68 percent, leaving 32 out of every 100 families without latrines.
District-wide, latrine coverage stands at 87 percent, while handwashing coverage remains at only 25 percent.
The new campaign, running until June 2026, will target the four parishes of Rwenkubebe A, Rwenkubebe B, Rwemirama A and Rwemirama B.
According to Musinguzi, the objective is to attain full handwashing and water coverage before the campaign ends.
Kitagwenda Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Moses Akankwatsa urged residents to prioritise hygiene as part of building stronger households.
“If you want to improve your household income, start with good health. You don’t have to waste money on diseases that can be prevented,” Akankwatsa advised.
Acting District Health Officer Dr Irene Kahimakazi said the initiative is expected to significantly reduce hygiene-related illnesses.
“We are optimistic that this campaign will curb diseases caused by poor hygiene, especially diarrheal diseases that continue to affect our communities,” she noted.
Kitagwenda District Vice Chairperson Peter Ashaba encouraged residents to act on the guidance of health workers.
“We appeal to the residents to embrace this campaign and put into practice the advice they are given so that sanitation can improve,” he said.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner Benjamin Tumusiime, who launched the campaign, warned that those who defy sanitation standards will face enforcement action.
“Anyone who refuses to comply with the sanitation guidelines will face arrest,” Tumusiime stated.
District leaders hope the campaign will drive lasting behaviour change and reduce the burden of preventable diseases linked to poor sanitation and hygiene in Nyabbani Sub-county.
