Arrested for not having a toilet

@shakeroo (3986)
Malaysia
December 21, 2007 10:24am CST
If you have a house in Kampala, Uganda, make sure that you have at least a toilet or you can be arrested for not having one. "We cannot watch as people die (of cholera)," northwestern Bulisa district administrator Norbert Turyahikayo told the New Vision daily, justifying the arrest of Ugandans found to have huts with no pit latrines Tuesday. Actually the intention is good that is to prevent cholera but I think the government should have helped them build a toilet rather then punishing them for not having one. What do you think about this? Read the full story here: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20071219/od_nm/toilets_dc;_ylt=AoL1SZ5g5PApc_esjBLxYH7tiBIF
2 people like this
8 responses
• United States
22 Dec 07
I have never heard of such a thing. I guess your right they do have good intentions. But what if someone cant afford it? Then they have to go to jail for something that they couldnt afford. They should at least try to help these people.
2 people like this
@shakeroo (3986)
• Malaysia
22 Dec 07
That's what a responsible government should have done!
@tgbunny (41)
• United States
21 Dec 07
There are USA companies not furnishing their employees a decent toilet, as I just came from one that left women no choice, but to "do nature's calling" on the floor or in small trash can next to toilet. There were 2 toilets in the rest room, as one had seat unscrewed, so won't hold while trying to sit on it, while the other stall had its toilet seat completely off, as seat hung on wall "as a trophy reminder". A temporary service sent me to this client company of theirs, so for 3 days, I prayed I didn't have to poop, since it would be very messy to create a "trucker's bomb", by pooping in a plastic bag first, then tying it up to put in restroom's trash can. I do think family in Uganda should have had finanical help from their Government, rather than being too poor to afford a toilet in their home. I would venture to guess they either had an outhouse outside, or peed/pooped in the nearest bushes. Go to almost any truck stop, and you will smell the rancid pee odors of truckers too lazy to watch inside the building to use the restroom, so the guys pee on the sides or theirs and other drivers' trucks. When you see a plastic bag in the parking lot, chances are it's a poop-filled "trucker's bomb", so you definitely don't want to see what surprises lurk in that bag! Hard to believe we all live here in so-called civilized USA at times! Happy Holidays, tgbunny
@shakeroo (3986)
• Malaysia
22 Dec 07
Thanks for sharing with us about how things are in the USA.
• Canada
22 Dec 07
Rules are rules made to safeguard the person, breaking rules are surely reward some penalty.
1 person likes this
@shakeroo (3986)
• Malaysia
22 Dec 07
but not supposed to be that harsh...
@estherlou (5015)
• United States
24 Dec 07
It sounds like from the article, that the people should have been warned first before being arrested. Some actually said the government was in the wrong. It's good to live in a more developed country, isn't it?
1 person likes this
@shakeroo (3986)
• Malaysia
25 Dec 07
Yes, some of us are lucky that we live in countries that are more developed and modern.
@maximax8 (31055)
• United Kingdom
21 Dec 07
Hygiene is very important, especially good sanitation. All homes without toilets should be given help by the government to buy a toilet that flushes. It is harsh to send poor people to jail for not having a toilet. Cholera is a nasty disease that can be fatal. The local people should be educated about drinking clean water, suitable food preparation and a good sanitation for the home.
2 people like this
@shakeroo (3986)
• Malaysia
21 Dec 07
Proper education is very important to these people from the third world...
1 person likes this
• United States
25 Dec 07
I agree. The idea of working hard to stop a horrible plague from taking more lives is definitely a good one. On the other hand it seems like helping the people would be a much better use of time and funds. If they didn't have one, they didn't think it was important or didn't have the money for it. It is something were a little help and education would help.
1 person likes this
@shakeroo (3986)
• Malaysia
25 Dec 07
Thanks for your response!
• United States
22 Dec 07
It is sad but government is more often than not failing the people. * It sounds like they need a community build-a-toilet program. We have a similar program here where volunteers get together and help build homes for the less fortunate. It is called Habitat for Humanity. * Then again, there are some people who simply are unaware or uncaring of the hazards of not having a toilet and need to have the issue brought home to them. * Not all able bodied people of Uganda are educated of the hazards of a lack of sanitation or considerate of their neighbors. Consider the noise situation here.
@shakeroo (3986)
• Malaysia
22 Dec 07
education is definitely lacking there...
• Philippines
22 Dec 07
hi shakeero Merry Christmas! Nice idea " their government should provide that toilet" it is a necessity to every one. Here in my country Philippines,those families living in a shanty were provided disposable toilets by our government. For a simple reason that these people just throw out to their neighbors like a flying saucer their bags of dirt. Punishing them for not having one is not effective. Instead give them seminars about the importance of personal hygiene. Touch in this seminar that they are not animals. Educate them. That's it. I'll be back...:)
@shakeroo (3986)
• Malaysia
22 Dec 07
Thanks for sharing your experience on this!