Kapoeta town traders to be fined over poor hygiene

The Kapoeta Municipal Council has warned of severe punishments against traders who do not maintain good hygiene at the Kapoeta market.

The main market comprises of mainly shops that offer a variety of products such as raw food and nonfood items and restaurants, which sell street foods in iron sheet shelters.

As part of solid waste management, the municipal council picks up garbage twice a week – on Monday and Tuesday.

However, some traders do not reportedly mix human waste with garbage and dump it around the two public toilets there – a behavior the town authorities believe could cause waterborne diseases.

“Some traders wake up early in the morning and mix water with feces and Omo detergent and pour in the market,” claimed Sebil Noah Ramadan, director for environment at the Kapoeta Municipal Council.

He said anyone found in violation of the laws shall be brought to book, adding that: “Anyone found doing that in the market will be fined.”

However, Noah declined to give further details on penalties against “destroying” the town, which was demarcated in 2007.