Prime
Sub-county has no pit-latrine — officials
Toilet structure. Staff at Butoloogo Sub -county headquarters in Mubende District are at risk of contracting hygiene-related illnesses following the collapse of the only pit-latrine in the premises officials have said. FILE/COURTESY PHOTO
What you need to know:
Mr Balongo said failure to have another pit-latrine will frustrate their efforts to encourage residents to construct pit-latrines at their homes, in addition to causing more health problems.
Ms Lillian Nakamatte, the Mubende District chief administrative officer, said the district is aware of the problem and that they included the issue in the sub-county’s budget for Financial Year 2018/2019.
Mubende. Staff at Butoloogo Sub -county headquarters in Mubende District are at risk of contracting hygiene-related illnesses following the collapse of the only pit-latrine in the premises officials have said.
The collapsed pit-latrine was being used by sub-county staff, councillors and visitors. Worse still, police officers at a police post adjacent to the sub-county headquarters were also using the same.
According to Mr Christopher Balongo, a councillor for Butoloogo Sub-county at the district, police officers and visitors have now resorted to dumping human waste anyhow, causing a stench and flies in the area, something that has compromised sanitation in the area.
“It is now four months since the only pit-latrine at the sub-county collapsed. There is no alternative at the moment and people ease themselves in near bushes,” he said during an interview on Wednesday.
He said the pit-latrine was constructed during the Financial Year 2016/2017 at a cost of Shs11 million and wondered how it could collapse in such a short period.
Mr Balongo said failure to have another pit-latrine will frustrate their efforts to encourage residents to construct pit-latrines at their homes, in addition to causing more health problems.
“We cannot force the people in this area to construct pit-latrines yet the whole sub-county headquarter, which is supposed to serve as an example to the community has none,” he said.
Ms Jane Nansikombi, one of the visitors found at the sub-county offices, said she was forced to ease herself in the thicket near the offices because she could not hold the urine longer.
“Officers at the sub-county need to do something about this situation before it gets out of hand,” she said.
Ms Lillian Nakamatte, the Mubende District chief administrative officer, said the district is aware of the problem and that they included the issue in the sub-county’s budget for Financial Year 2018/2019.
“We passed the budget and construction of the a new pit-latrine has been delayed by the bidding process to get the suitable contractor to carry out the work, but very soon the sub-county will get a new pit latrine.” she said.
