Pupils in danger of contracting cholera

What you need to know:

Situation. The facility has been in bad shape for the last seven years.

Luuka. Teachers and pupils of Buyemba Primary School in Luuka District have called upon the district officials to rescue them from an old, overflowing, filthy pit-latrine, saying it is exposing them to diseases.
The school can no longer tolerate the foul smell emanating from the pit-latrine rendering the environment unsuitable for learning.

Speaking to Daily Monitor in an interview, the teachers of Buyemba Primary School in Irongo Sub-county, said they fear for their health and those of the 1,200 pupils, describing the situation as a time bomb that could explode anytime.
Mr Eliot Lwana, a teacher at the school, said a number of pupils have already contracted hygiene-related diseases. He said 10 pupils absconded from class last week shortly after developing stomach ache.
Daily Monitor has learnt that the school facilities have been in bad for the last seven years despite attempts by some parents to keep it afloat.

Mr Paul Kibule, also a teacher at the school, said the head teacher has several times tried to bring the matter to the attention of the district authorities but it all fell in deaf ears. He said: “A number of officials including politicians have come here, with some taking pictures and then promise to come back but never show up again.”
It also emerged that the pupils also do not have desks to seat on while attending lessons and as a result have been forced to carry stones from home.
When contacted on the issues, the district chief administrative officer, Ms Lilian Nakamatte, she declined to comment.