Help Lusanja evictees before it is late
The Lusanja evictions in October draws us to the unending trend of land evictions in Uganda that have left many Ugandans vulnerable to public health consequences. The Lusanja eviction is just a portion of a huge cake of agony that the rich have served the poor in this era; where the rich are getting richer at the expense of the poor and the poor are getting poorer.
The most worrying consequence of this particular eviction is the health of the victims. Many of the evictees are already grappling with preventable illnesses, including diarrhoea, malaria and malnutrition, and other issues such as sexual assaults and molestation, among others. Interestingly, these consequences are not only limited to the poor evictees, but affect the surrounding communities and the country at large.
The eviction affected more than 550 people. More than 70 families were evicted and 350 houses destroyed. Many of the victims now live in small tents where people are staying in single spaces regardless of age, sex and family size! This can result in sexual molestation of young ones and a less satisfying sexual life for the adults. Such an environment perpetuates the spread of sexually transmitted infections, particularly HIV/Aids. Crowded tents with poor aeration are also ground for respiratory infections.
Pit-latrines were left uncovered after the eviction and rain easily washes away the contents to people in lower areas, bringing forth increased cases of diarrhoea, which has already claimed lives of some children. The residents are low income earners and earn a living through doing odd jobs.
Some of the demolished houses where rentals, retail shops and working space for the residents where residents could get some income; all these were left unemployed and jobless. This is a recipe for criminal activities.
Most families can no longer afford food and many are yet to suffer hunger and malnutrition related problems.
The people of Lusanja have on several occasions sought justice from the government but nothing tangible has been done amidst increasing and worrying health conditions.
We call for justice in addressing the challenges at hand faced by the people of Lusanja before the situation becomes unmanageable. We also recommend harmony and respect for the existing laws while the “land owner’s” claim for what they claim belongs to them to avoid preventable public health threats.
Provia Ainembabazi and Stella Namuganza,
Members of Uganda Social Medicine Consortium chapter.
