Busia County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga has urged local youth to take precautions against HIV and AIDS.
Speaking during the celebrations to mark the 61st Jamhuri Day at Lwanya Primary School, Chaunga said, “During the latest International Aids Day we were told that that HIV infections in general had reduced but new infections among the youth are on the rise,” he said, while advising the youth to take the necessary precautions to avert the negative trend.
He also encouraged the local residents to refrain from Gender Based Violence, adding that such vices should not prevail in civilized societies.
At the same time, the county commissioner encouraged the residents to upload all the tree seedlings that are planted on the jaza miti app.
“Our problem is that we plant so many tree seedlings but they are not recorded,” he said, adding that all the area chiefs have been trained on how to upload the number of seedlings planted on the jaza miti app.
Mwachaunga also reminded the local residents to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) in order to access health services in public health facilities.
He lauded the security officers for their commitment in fighting illicit brews warning those engaging in such activities that they risked being arrested and prosecuted.
“We also want to condemn disco matanga at all costs,” he said, adding that it was an outlawed activity whose perpetrators should be arrested and prosecuted.
The administrator argued that disco matanga is not a cultural practice as claimed by some people, adding it is a habit that was meant for fundraising during a funeral.
Busia Uganda Resident District Commissioner Doreen Wafula reaffirmed her country’s commitment to regional cooperation.
Wafula said that Kenya and Uganda shared a rich cultural history and common vision of East Africa.
“Our bilateral cooperation has yielded significant benefit from improved border security and people to people exchange in ideas and other sections. Let’s continue to prioritize cooperation, mutual understanding and peaceful resolution of conflicts,” she said.
Busia chief Magistrate Edna Nyaloti on her part urged parents to take good care and guide the boy child.
Nyaloti noted that a number of young boys are serving jail terms after being convicted with defilement.
She at the same time expressed concern about water shortage that was affecting even Korinda main prison.
“There is no water, even at the main prison. Water is a basic necessity and without it we might experience outbreak of diseases. I want to ask the concerned people to ensure availability of the precious commodity” she said.
By Salome Alwanda and Rodgers Omondi
