Sustainable clean water supply, basic sanitation and good hygiene are essential for a healthy, productive and dignified life.

This was a message delivered by a delegation of senators and parliamentarians who were on a ten-day tour of Kayonza District to evaluate sanitation at the household level.

During the conclusion of their tour on Thursday, the lawmakers said poor hygiene is economically costly and  called for concerted effort to promote hygiene and sanitation.

Senator Mike Rugema said they observed a  worrying trend of poor hygiene in homes despite national efforts to improve hygiene and sanitation.

Rugema said most villages had substandard pit-latrines, waste pits, animal barns, among others while others did not have them at all.

He said there were several key issues raised by the residents during the tour which, he said, require appropriate response.

"The absence of pit-latrines or poorly constructed latrines, animals sharing houses with people, etc, pose a great health problem in villages,” he said.

"There are cultural, educational,  and economic factors that could motivate people to adopt safe hygiene practices. Local leaders should promote such  practices,” he said.

The vice-mayor in charge of economic affairs, Benoit Sikubwabo, admitted that local leaders were to blame on the poor hygiene standards, adding that action will be taken to sensitise grassroots leaders and make them live up to the task.

"It is true there are low levels of hygiene in communities as observed by the legislators. We do not have to go on the  defensive. Instead we need to fold our sleeves and get to work,” he        said.