Iganga Christians decry lack of toilet at church

IGANGA - Iganga municipality-Nakavule parish priest, the Rev. Dr. Samson Basiba, has asked the health ministry permanent secretary and authorities in the district to urgently allow them to construct a toilet at their main church St Luke Chapel.

The move follows an outcry by Christians over the lack of a toilet and pit latrine in the church's vicinity. The Christians fear that without a toilet, they face higher chances of contracting hygiene-related diseases.

Basiba says the Church, which was constructed on the Iganga General Hospital land 56 years ago, has never had a toilet.

He attributed the continued lack of the toilet to the failure to get permission for construction from the ministry permanent secretary and district authorities since the land is Government-owned.

He said they have tried several times to seek permission from stakeholders in vain. This situation, he says, challenges them during prayers and other ceremonies at the church.

He expressed fear that the situation is risky as Christians have to rely on the goodwill of the nearby residents to ease themselves.

Beatrice Banona, a Christian mobiliser says they have over 500 Christians who usually attend church services but that the number would be more had the church had places of convenience.

According to her, some Christians refuse to attend service over the church lacking such facilities. 

Installation of parish priest

They appealed as Central Busoga Diocese Bishop Patrick Wakula was officially commissioning the church to parish status and installing Basiba as the pioneer priest at the church on Sunday (October 20, 2024).

Wakula asked Basiba to improve discipline and spiritual growth among Christians in the area despite having some challenges in the service.

The bishop, who also presided over the baptism and confirmation of 15 Christians, appealed to the Christians to keep their faith and believe in God for any challenges in their lives and avoid engaging in sin.

Unaware of the request

Meanwhile, Iganga deputy district health officer Dr Karim Muluya said he was not aware of a request for the construction of the toilet at the church.

He, however, said the hospital management and other authorities are responsible for permitting the construction of the hygiene facilities.

Efforts to get a comment from Iganga hospital administrator Deo Wakabi about the matter were futile by press time as he declined to talk citing attending a church service.