Masaka Health Officials Demand Dedicated Court to Tackle Worsening Sanitation Crisis
Masaka city health authorities want a dedicated court and magistrate to handle public health issues, particularly targeting people without latrines and those who indiscriminately dump garbage, so that they can be punished. According to health reports released for the city’s two divisions, the level of filth among residents has significantly increased. A study revealed that the prevalence of diarrhea among children under five has risen sharply — from 9% in the 2023/2024 financial year to 20% in 2025 — all attributed to the worsening sanitation situation. The report further showed that handwashing practices have declined: in Kimaanya-Kabonera Division, the rate dropped from 73% in 2023/24 to 39% in 2025, while in Nyendo-Mukungwe Division it declined from 52% to 49% in the same period. Madrine Kikomeko, the health inspector for Kimaanya-Kabonera Division, said they are tired of pleading with residents to build latrines, as many continue to ignore the call, leaving the city dirty and full of waste scattered everywhere. She lamented that even when they apprehend people who refuse to build latrines or who dump waste in the city and take them to court, most of the cases collapse due to lack of officers to follow through, which emboldens the offenders because of the absence of clear laws or dedicated judicial attention. Now, they are asking for a magistrate dedicated solely to public health cases, hoping that this will create accountability and encourage people to care about their own health and sanitation. However, Centenary Radio spoke to the Masaka city health officer, Dr. Patrick Kasendwa, who said the city’s existing court and magistrate already handle such cases, but blamed health workers themselves for not preparing their cases well enough for prosecution. Meanwhile, Masaka city Mayor Florence Namayanja has warned residents still constructing pit latrines in the city that they need to adopt waterborne toilets instead, saying the city needs modern sanitation facilities to improve public hygiene.