The study in BioMed Central found drug‑resistant Salmonella enterica in nearly half the food and water consumed by under‑fives in Karamoja. Contamination appeared in raw and cooked foods and in both community and household water. Researchers reported that more than 90 per cent of strains were resistant to azithromycin and that over a third were multi‑drug resistant. Ronald Mpagi of Gulu University began the work after years of government and donor programmes produced little improvement in malnutrition.
Karamoja is semi‑arid and most households are nomadic pastoralists who live in manyattas with cattle close to living areas. Over 60 per cent of the population practise open defecation, allowing human waste, livestock, food and water to intersect and contaminate children’s meals. Repeated diarrhoeal illness prevents children from absorbing nutrients and worsens malnutrition.
Experts warn that failed first‑line antibiotics will leave children ill longer and may raise mortality. Uganda now tracks antimicrobial resistance with a surveillance network that operates in seven referral hospitals and gives early warnings when clusters of diarrhoea appear. The government also runs hygiene education and trains farmers on safer post‑harvest handling.
Difficult words
- contamination — the presence of harmful substances.contaminated
- antibiotic — a medicine that fights bacterial infections.
- vulnerable — likely to be harmed or hurt.
- Sanitation — the practice of keeping places clean.
- resistant — able to fight against something, like diseases.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How can communities improve access to clean water?
- Why is food safety important for health?
- What role does education play in health issues?
- How can governments support vulnerable populations?
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