MWITANZIGE, KAKUMIRO – Mwitanzige sub-county recently experienced a surge in health-related diseases, posing significant risks to the local population, including the spread of Cholera and Dysentery. In response to this alarming situation, a one-day health inspection exercise was conducted by a team from Mwitanzige Health Centre III, resulting in one arrest and the closure of eleven businesses.
Under the guidance of Mr. Ampaire Max, the Chairman of LC III, sub-county chiefs, and other leaders participated in the exercise. Each household was thoroughly inspected, and those found without proper latrine facilities faced arrest. Additionally, severely dilapidated latrines were ordered to be demolished to expedite the construction of new ones.
During the inspection, over 10 businesses were closed down, and the police were present to enforce the inspection orders. Those who refused to comply were subject to fines ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 currency units, as determined by the health team. The decision to conduct this operation was communicated to the public through radio broadcasts in the days leading up to the event.
To ensure the smooth running of the inspection and to prevent any potential disturbances, the Mwitanzige Police provided security.
The Black Examiner has learned that a majority of landlords in the area did not have latrines that met the required standards, with approximately 80% of them in extremely poor condition. Despite attempts to contact them, the landlords remained unresponsive.
The issue of inadequate toilets became a topic of debate, prompting discussions about whether to demolish them or leave them in their current state. Some tenants claimed to have collected money for the construction of new latrines, but their landlords allegedly misappropriated the funds, resulting in no progress. In response, the inspection team demolished the latrines, pressuring the landlords to construct new ones or complete stalled construction projects from previous years. The destruction followed multiple warnings from the Mwitanzige sub-county committee.
As part of a health exercise conducted by the councilor and health team, school dropouts have been apprehended on the directive of Mwitanzige Subcounty LC III. This action aims to emphasize the importance of education and discourage the growing issue of idleness within the community. In a related development, individuals found loitering around cinemas were fined and subsequently released. The fines were imposed to deter idle behavior.
In light of these events, cinema businesses in Mwitanzige have been advised to adjust their operating hours. It is recommended that they open later in the day, allowing people to engage in productive activities during the morning hours. This adjustment is intended to promote a more active and industrious community.
Additionally, street vendors were instructed by Chairman LC III to utilize the local market facilities to maintain hygiene standards.
The closure of businesses was primarily due to the use of inadequate latrines. It was discovered that eleven shops including salons and electronic shops were relying on a single latrine in extremely poor condition.
 The Black Examiner conducted research and found that all seven rooms occupied by tenants were dependent on this single latrine. Each room had a separate owner, but the owners failed to collaborate on constructing a new latrine. Attempts to contact the landlords were unsuccessful, leading the inspection team to demolish the latrine and enforce a deadline for the landlords to build new facilities. Failure to comply within the given timeframe would result in their arrest for violating sub-county health laws and policies.
To reduce the spread of health-related diseases, individuals were compelled to clean and properly dispose of waste materials, preventing the accumulation of garbage in common areas.
