Pader District Officials Warn Residents Over Poor Sanitation Practices

Pader District officials have issued a stern warning to residents, urging them to improve their sanitation and hygiene practices or face legal consequences. The district is at high risk of disease outbreaks due to poor handwashing habits, low latrine coverage, and disparities between areas.

During an advocacy meeting on water and sanitation held at the district production boardroom on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, health and water officials expressed deep concern over the situation and announced plans to enforce strict measures to improve hygiene in the district.

Pader District Water Officer Engineer Patrick Olanya revealed that while safe water coverage stands at 92%, sanitation (latrine) coverage is only at 69%, and handwashing rates remain low at 43%. Other key sanitation indicators show bath shelters at 72% and refuse management at 52%, indicating an urgent need for intervention.

Moses Ogwang, the Health Assistant attached to the District Water Department, emphasized that latrine coverage in some sub-counties is alarmingly low. He explained that the poor construction of latrines by locals, particularly during the rainy season, often leads to destruction, which reduces latrine coverage.

The department reported that Lapul Sub-County has the worst latrine coverage, with only 17% of households having latrines. Other sub-counties with low coverage include Latanya and Ogom at 46%, Pukor at 51%, and Angagura at 59%. In contrast, Atanga Town Council leads with 75%, followed by Bongtiko at 73%, Ajan at 71%, and both Laguti and Pajule at 66%. 

Ogwang noted that the district will enforce the Public Health Act, which mandates every household to have a latrine. Those who fail to comply risk a six-month jail term, a fine of six million shillings, or both after sensitization.

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The department also highlighted that handwashing remains a major concern, with some areas recording alarmingly low compliance rates. Atanga Town Council ranks lowest at 11%, followed by Lapul at 12% and Paiula at 13%. The best-performing sub-counties include Bongtiko at 73%, Pajule Town Council at 64%, and Pajule Sub-County at 54%.

Lapul Sub-County Councilor Bosco John Odong admitted that his area performed poorly but urged the district to take decisive steps in enforcing sanitation laws to improve latrine coverage. Meanwhile, Pajule Sub-County Councilor Charles Komakech praised the water department for their efforts, noting that his sub-county had improved sanitation by passing a bylaw that required every household to have a latrine. Those who refused were fined and forced to pay laborers to construct latrines for them.

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Betty Lanyero, the Pader District Workers’ Councilor V, concurred with the district water officer, noting that many residents prioritize smartphones over sanitation. “People nowadays use more smartphones than smart latrines,” she said. Lanyero urged local leaders to work closely with health assistants to improve hygiene practices.

Pader District Secretary for Health and Vice Chairperson Justin Ocen further warned that if residents do not take sanitation seriously, the district could face major disease outbreaks. He explained that most hygiene-related diseases are preventable and called for collective responsibility to improve sanitation in Pader.

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