Health 14 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
Unsafe Water Fuels Bilharzia Outbreak on Jinja Islands
Residents of Jinja City's Kisima islands are facing a severe bilharzia outbreak due to a lack of safe water, forcing many to use untreated water from Lake Victoria. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/unsafe-water-fuels-bilharzia-surge-on-jinja-islands-5496206
Residents on Kisima I and Kisima II islands in Jinja City are confronting a worrying surge in bilharzia cases. The outbreak is largely attributed to the failure of previously installed safe water systems, forcing households to rely on untreated water from Lake Victoria for their daily needs.
Local leaders and residents point to a lack of maintenance and oversight as key reasons for the collapse of water installations, many of which were provided by development partners like Water Mission. This situation forces families to use lake water for drinking, cooking, and bathing, despite the known risks of waterborne diseases like bilharzia.
Jinja Resident City Commissioner Salim Komakech highlighted the severity of the issue, noting that Jinja City is among the most affected areas in Uganda. He cited Ministry of Health data indicating a rise in bilharzia infections, with at least one death reported recently. Health authorities are reportedly intensifying community awareness campaigns to combat the spread.
Compounding the problem is the poor sanitation and hygiene practices prevalent in the fishing communities, which further drive disease transmission. An additional challenge is the limited functionality of the Kisima Health Centre III, which reportedly lacks electricity, rendering essential diagnostic equipment unusable.
Access to clean water remains a significant hurdle, with some residents resorting to purchasing water from the mainland at a high cost. This economic burden, coupled with the health risks, underscores the urgent need for improved infrastructure.
Health officials confirmed the troubling prevalence, with recent testing showing 30 out of 60 collected stool samples positive for bilharzia. Open defecation is identified as another major factor contributing to the high transmission rates in areas lacking adequate sanitation facilities. Emergency drug supplies have been requested, and treatment and sensitization efforts are being expanded.