Infection hazard

Residents of Kisima I and Kisima II islands in Jinja City are grappling with a rising bilharzia outbreak, driven by continued reliance on unsafe water sources after the collapse of previously installed safe water systems.
The breakdown of water facilities established by development partners has forced many households to draw untreated water directly from Lake Victoria, increasing exposure to waterborne diseases.
Local leaders and residents blame poor maintenance and weak oversight for the failure of the systems. They say installations by Water Mission, a Christian engineering nonprofit that provides safe water solutions in developing countries, have fallen into disrepair.
As a result, many families now depend on lake water for domestic use, despite health warnings over infection risks.
Jinja Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Salim Komakech, during an outreach visit to the islands over the weekend, expressed concern over the rising infections, saying Jinja City remains among the worst affected areas in the country.
He cited Ministry of Health data showing increasing bilharzia cases, including at least one death reported this month.
Health authorities, he said, have intensified community sensitisation campaigns to curb the outbreak.
Mr Komakech noted that poor sanitation and hygiene practices in fishing communities continue to drive transmission.
The situation has been worsened by limited functionality at Kisima Health Centre III, where lack of electricity has left key diagnostic equipment, including laboratory machines, idle since commissioning.
Residents say access to safe water remains a major challenge. Ms Justine Akello said households are forced to buy water from the mainland at about Shs 2,000 per 20-litre jerrycan.
"It is costing us a lot. Even using lake water is risky," she said.
Ms Twali Jamawa, the secretary for women affairs on Kisima II Island, called for urgent investment in safe water and sanitation facilities, including toilets.
Jinja City Health Officer Dr Fredrick Isabirye said surveillance findings indicate a worrying prevalence of bilharzia in the area.
He said stool samples collected from 60 residents showed that 30 tested positive for the disease.
Dr Isabirye said open defecation remains a key driver of transmission in communities lacking adequate sanitation.
"Thirty out of 60 samples tested positive," he said, adding that emergency drug supplies have been requested from the National Medical Stores.
He said treatment and sensitisation campaigns are being expanded across affected communities.