The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Nabbanja Robinah, delivered a compelling message urging leaders across all levels of governance to underscore the critical importance of sanitation and hygiene in fostering human development and social well-being. This call to action came during her address at the National commemorations of the World Sanitation Week, convened at the Kakumiro District headquarters on Friday.
Under the theme “Sanitation and hygiene for all, a key to sustainable healthy living,” Nabbanja emphasized the transformative potential of embracing sanitation and hygiene practices within communities. She stressed that collective adoption of these practices could catalyze positive change and cultivate a culture of cleanliness and health consciousness among citizens.
Highlighting the significant strides made in improving sanitation and hygiene across Uganda, Nabbanja acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in rural areas where access to basic sanitation and handwashing facilities remains below desirable levels. Notably, Kakumiro District reported suboptimal statistics in these areas, underscoring the need for intensified efforts to address existing gaps.
Expressing concern over preventable health issues linked to poor sanitation and hygiene, Nabbanja urged leaders to leverage available resources and expertise to effect meaningful change. She emphasized the urgent need for coordinated action to combat the detrimental effects of inadequate sanitation, which directly impact public health and well-being.
In line with the government’s commitment to promoting healthy and productive populations, Nabbanja outlined strategic interventions aimed at enhancing community-level engagement and ownership of sanitation initiatives. These efforts include strengthening community structures and systems to address social determinants of health, such as access to clean water, sanitation facilities, and nutrition.
Asserting the need for decisive leadership in driving sanitation and hygiene agendas forward, Nabbanja challenged leaders to harness available knowledge, tools, and policy frameworks to effect tangible change. She emphasized the imperative of prioritizing sanitation and hygiene within national planning and budgeting processes to elevate their importance on the development agenda.
As part of her commitment to championing sanitation and hygiene initiatives, Nabbanja announced plans to lead the National Cleaning Day’s initiative, aimed at fostering community-driven interventions for disease prevention. She stressed the importance of public awareness campaigns and advocacy efforts to foster behavior change and promote a culture of cleanliness and health consciousness.
Nabbanja called upon development partners and civil society organizations to align their programs and activities with government priorities, emphasizing the need for collaborative action to achieve sustained progress in sanitation and hygiene. Additionally, she urged parents to instill values of cleanliness and health consciousness in their children, cultivating a generation of sanitation champions.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to improving household incomes and enhancing the quality of life for all Ugandan citizens. She cited ongoing initiatives, such as the launch of an 11 billion piped water project, as tangible steps towards fulfilling this commitment and ensuring equitable access to essential services.
The event witnessed participation from various government officials, including the Minister of State for Health, the State Minister for Transport, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, underscoring the multi-sectoral approach to addressing sanitation and hygiene challenges.
