Uganda's Maro goes on another humanitarian drive

Jiggers, also called sand or chigoe fleas, are parasitic insects that disproportionately affect people living in rural areas. The minute parasites are usually present in people’s feet and cause infection and disfigurement.

Maro’s appointment was made public this week by Sole Hope, a local NGO that has for the past five years provided medical relief to Ugandans suffering from foot-related diseases. The organisation also runs the Shoes That Change Lives initiative, which provides locally made shoes made out of second-hand materials.

“This is a massive step for Sole Hope and the fight against jiggers in Uganda,” it said. “Maro is a musician known as the king of R&B in Uganda. You can hear his music blasting from every dance club and traffic jam in the nation. He's teaming up with Sole Hope to end the stigma around jiggers and spread the word about how to live jigger-free.”

Maro has also released a theme song ‘Tundula’ (Remove It) aimed at educating the public on jigger causes, prevention and control measures.

The singer told Music In Africa that the high rate of jigger-related illnesses in Busoga had driven many children to drop out of school due to lack of medical support.

“When Sole Hope contacted me I was all in because sensitisation is something I love doing as a musician,” he said. “I believe music should not just be for dance but also for edutainment. In ‘Tundula’ I explain how jiggers manifest themselves."

In 2012, the Ugandan Ministry of Health initiated a programme with the National Disease Control Department to deal with the increasing number of jigger cases. But a report published in the International Journal of Health Sciences and Research in 2015 revealed that jigger control and prevention was yet to be prioritised by the ministry and other key stakeholders. The report also noted the need to increase awareness among community members.

Maro’s humanitarian efforts have also seen the singer team up with Plan International Uganda to promote the rights of girls in the East African nation.