The roles of local leaders in improving sanitation and hygiene in Adilang Sub-County, Agago District

The decentralisation policy that came into force after the enactment of the 1995 constitution of the Republic of Uganda empowered local leaders to actively participate in key government programmes which are geared towards improving service delivery. The issue of active participation by the local leaders became of paramount importance in Adilang Sub-County due to numerous reported cases of sanitation-related diseases in the area and the neighbouring district of Kitgum. The involvement of local leaders led to increased sanitation coverage from 11% in 2006 to 48% in 2011. Through active participation and involvement of the local leaders at both local and national levels, great achievements can be made in sanitation and hygiene to attain the millennium development goals.