Alarm as fishermen share pit-latrine with pupils

Fishermen at Katwe Kabatooro Landing Site in Kasese District. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • According to Water Aid Uganda recent findings, around 26,000 children die every year from diarrhoea which is caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.

Civil Society activists have expressed concern over the continuing habit of fishermen using pit-latrines meant for pupils near Katwe Kabatooro Landing Site in Kasese District.
The activists said pupils’ health is at risk if they continue sharing pit-latrines with the fishermen who are exposed to risky lifestyles.
“Our female children at Katwe Quran Primary School on Lake Edward are being exposed to terrible diseases such as candidiasis from different people who have continued to share pit-latrines with learners,” observed Ms Bernadette Businge, the project focal person for the Rwenzori Consortium for Civic Competence.

Ms Businge and her team was recently inspecting schools near the lake shores in Katwe Town Council. The lack of toilets at the landing site has forced the fishermen to use the latrine at the nearby school.
“Our pupils say the fishermen scare them since they are always found in their latrines and are ignorant of the symbols; some male fishermen sometimes use latrines meant for girls, which inconveniencies the learners,” said Mr Bright Saidi, the head teacher of Katwe Quran Primary School.
He said the school is not fenced, which makes it impossible for the administration to keep out those seeking to use their sanitation facilities.

Mr Saidi appealed to government to provide a public toilet for the fishermen, arguing that their number is increasing daily.
“As a result, some parents have opted to take away their children in fear of contracting diseases from the school latrine, Due to lack of privacy while at school, others do not come back for classes in time,” he added.
Mr Steven Katesigwa, the coordinator of fishermen, said the population at the lake shores has increased and the pit-latrine at the landing site is not sufficient.
Mr Asasio Masereka, the senior community development officer, said the town council will soon establishing better sanitation facilities at the landing site, adding money to construct a public toilet there has been approved.

NATIONAL OUTLOOK
Lake Victoria. A 2010 UN habitat brochure on the water and sanitation initiative in landing sites on Lake Victoria found that 76 per cent of the population lacks access to sustainable supplies of safe drinking water; 72 per cent lack access to improved sanitation whereas less than five per cent garbage is collected by local authorities.
Effects. According to Water Aid Uganda recent findings, around 26,000 children die every year from diarrhoea which is caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation.
A World Bank Water Sanitation Programme report for 2012,showed that poor sanitation is costing the country at least Shs389 billion annually.