KAPCHORWA DISTRICT OBSERVES SANITATION WEEK; RESIDENT DISTRICT COMMISSIONER ISSUES ONE-MONTH ULTIMATUM ON PIT LATRINES

KAPCHORWA— Residents of Kapchorwa have been strongly urged to prioritize hygiene as a core weapon against preventable diseases, with families lacking basic sanitation facilities given exactly one month to construct pit latrines or face legal action.

The directive was issued today by the Kapchorwa Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Bayole Stanley, who served as the chief guest during the district's Sanitation Week commemorations held at the Chem Primary School playground.

This year's commemorations were held under the theme: "A healthy community is a wealthy community: keep sanitation to prevent disease."

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Bayole emphasized that public hygiene is the primary factor in eliminating outbreaks that frequently strain family resources and public coffers. He noted that the financial burden of treating hygiene-related illnesses costs the government vast sums of money—resources that could otherwise be diverted to other critical infrastructure and development projects.

 "Having a pit latrine directly protects community members," the RDC stated. "Ensuring that every household has proper waste disposal facilities is the only way we will overcome these preventable diseases that cost our people and the government so much."

To ensure total compliance, the RDC announced a one-month grace period for households currently lacking pit latrines to construct them. Following the expiration of the deadline, local authorities, working closely with Village Health Teams (VHTs), will conduct door-to-door enforcement operations. Those found non-compliant will face immediate legal penalties under district public health bylaws 

The function drew a high-profile delegation of district and local leaders, signaling a unified administrative front on public health. In attendance were:Mr. Chelimo Vincent, District LCV Chairperson ,The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), The District Water Engineer ,District Councillors, Sub-County Chairpersons (LC3s) and Village Chairpersons (LC1s) and  Members of the Village Health Teams (VHTs)

Local leaders echoed the RDC's call, urging community members to treat the campaign not merely as a matter of legal compliance, but as a collective responsibility to secure the health and economic well-being of Kapchorwa.

By Herbert Brown