Mpanga Market Toilets Crumbling, Vendors Demand Urgent Government Action

Traders and vendors operating at Mpanga Market in Central Division, Fort Portal City are decrying poor hygiene conditions at the market latrines that has left them at the verge of contracting hygiene related infections.

The Chairperson of Mpanga Market Mr. Sabiti Steven, says the market is facing a major challenge of water shortage after supply was disconnected by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) over an unpaid bill of 23 million shillings owed by Fort Portal City Council.

According to him, the situation has remained un bearable for many years now and whenever they reach out to authorities for help, they are informed that all money collected from traders is remitted to the central government in Kampala and it delays to come back, he wonders even when the city council often receives funds late, they allocate it to other priorities instead of addressing urgent trader’s needs.

Video of Mpanga maggots

A trader, Kansime Rose also expressed concern over water scarcity and the stench from decomposing garbage, saying the poor hygiene has driven away customers due to fear of contracting diseases.

“Maggots, dilapidated equipment and walls smeared with human waste are the ones that welcomes us here every day, customers no longer want to even stop over. Government this is enough” she lamented

Another elderly woman, who has spent 25 years in Mpanga Market and spoke on condition of anonymity, says they are charged 500 shillings per toilet visit and have lost significant income, much of it invested in her business supported by loans. She wonders why the money they pay to visit the toilets can’t be re-invested to make the place clean.

According to her, they are also inconvenienced by the toilet attendants who close the toilet at 6pm yet the markets keeps operating till 10pm, noting that some people who find the toilet closed after 6pm dump their waste in front of the toilet yet there are stalls selling food stuffs.

https://soundcloud.com/you/insights/tracks/mpanga-toilet-vox-pop

vox pop.. Vendors on mpanga

The Fort Portal Central Division Mayor Jorum Bintamanya while visiting the market to ascertain the state of the toilets noted that being new leaders, they shall prioritize the issue of market toilets to avoid people dying of hygiene related illnesses.

“We shall suspend all other activities to work on the flash system, the conditions are truly unbearable” observed mayor.

Video bintamanya explaining