Patrick Odongo emerges from a latrine; a one storey structure erected approximately two metres from the ground. Towering in front of haphazard, ramshackle dwellings, there is no fee charged for using this latrine, reserved for the residents of Acholi quarter in one of Kampala’s sprawling slums. Parts of the latrine’s walls are damp, with a stinging smell permeating the environment. 
Godfrey Nsubuga, a resident of Kavule, in Kampala, sits outside his dilapidated shack, neighbouring an unused latrine, raised a few metres from the filthy soggy ground. He says he does not use the latrine because it is full. This and the current latrine in use are so dilapidated that he fears they may succumb to the weight of human waste, or a storm.
Many such latrines sprawl haphazardly in slums around Kampala: Bwaise, Kamwokya, Kavule, Katanga, Kisenyi and Kivulu. Some of them are constructed an arm’s length from congested slum settlements, posing grave health risks.
Frequent flooding and the swampy slum areas rule out the sinking of latrines beyond one or two feet. Erecting a latrine with a stair case is the only option despite the hazards. Many residents acknowledged having experienced cholera outbreaks, associated with the filthy surroundings.
Decent toilets are available but at a cost. A user fee of between Ushs100 (US$0.05) and Ushs200 (US$0.1) is charged, which is often too high for families, most of who live on less than a dollar a day.
Moses Mugabi, a resident of Kamwokya, mans a latrine, which is also raised two metres from the ground. Despite no charge being imposed by the landlord, Mugabi charges Ushs100 (US$0.05) user fee. He ensures the latrine is kept clean, to keep diseases at bay. He acknowledges past incidents of cholera in an area prone to flooding.
There is some respite though after Amref, in collaboration with local communities constructed a few decent toilets, which residents use for free although in some slum areas such as Bwaise, on the outskirts of Kampala, residents pay Ushs200 (US$0.1) to use them.
Joan Nakibule, a resident of Kavule slum in Kampala, says the toilets have improved sanitation in the area. “When full, Ushs20000 (US$10.5) is collected from the households, to drain it,” says Nakibule, whose mother is a landlady in the settlements.
According to James Kiyimba, a social worker and communication officer with WaterAid Uganda, latrines are
raised some metres above the ground because the water level is very high. He notes, however, that these present a challenge to children, the elderly, the disabled and the sick who can’t climb the stairs. They resort to easing themselves in polythene bags, a practice called ‘flying toilets’.
However, he adds, these latrines contaminate water sources. “Most water sources are contaminated through such practices,” he says, adding that these inevitably lead to cholera outbreaks.
Peter Kato, a medical doctor, says the latrines remain potential hazards for cholera outbreaks. He says the poor drainage in the swampy areas contributes to the pollution of water for domestic use as these latrines are very close to the settlements. “When it rains, the refuse in the latrines flow out and sprawl near the dwellings,” he says.
Statistics from the ministry of health in Uganda show that over 400 people die of diarrhea and cholera complications due to poor hygiene and sanitation. Although organizations such as Amref have initiated projects to help, a lot more still needs to be done.
By Joshua Masinde
Godfrey Nsubuga, a resident of Kavule, in Kampala, sits outside his dilapidated shack, neighbouring an unused latrine, raised a few metres from the filthy soggy ground. He says he does not use the latrine because it is full. This and the current latrine in use are so dilapidated that he fears they may succumb to the weight of human waste, or a storm.
Many such latrines sprawl haphazardly in slums around Kampala: Bwaise, Kamwokya, Kavule, Katanga, Kisenyi and Kivulu. Some of them are constructed an arm’s length from congested slum settlements, posing grave health risks.
Frequent flooding and the swampy slum areas rule out the sinking of latrines beyond one or two feet. Erecting a latrine with a stair case is the only option despite the hazards. Many residents acknowledged having experienced cholera outbreaks, associated with the filthy surroundings.
Decent toilets are available but at a cost. A user fee of between Ushs100 (US$0.05) and Ushs200 (US$0.1) is charged, which is often too high for families, most of who live on less than a dollar a day.
Moses Mugabi, a resident of Kamwokya, mans a latrine, which is also raised two metres from the ground. Despite no charge being imposed by the landlord, Mugabi charges Ushs100 (US$0.05) user fee. He ensures the latrine is kept clean, to keep diseases at bay. He acknowledges past incidents of cholera in an area prone to flooding.
There is some respite though after Amref, in collaboration with local communities constructed a few decent toilets, which residents use for free although in some slum areas such as Bwaise, on the outskirts of Kampala, residents pay Ushs200 (US$0.1) to use them.
Joan Nakibule, a resident of Kavule slum in Kampala, says the toilets have improved sanitation in the area. “When full, Ushs20000 (US$10.5) is collected from the households, to drain it,” says Nakibule, whose mother is a landlady in the settlements.
According to James Kiyimba, a social worker and communication officer with WaterAid Uganda, latrines are
raised some metres above the ground because the water level is very high. He notes, however, that these present a challenge to children, the elderly, the disabled and the sick who can’t climb the stairs. They resort to easing themselves in polythene bags, a practice called ‘flying toilets’.However, he adds, these latrines contaminate water sources. “Most water sources are contaminated through such practices,” he says, adding that these inevitably lead to cholera outbreaks.
Peter Kato, a medical doctor, says the latrines remain potential hazards for cholera outbreaks. He says the poor drainage in the swampy areas contributes to the pollution of water for domestic use as these latrines are very close to the settlements. “When it rains, the refuse in the latrines flow out and sprawl near the dwellings,” he says.
Statistics from the ministry of health in Uganda show that over 400 people die of diarrhea and cholera complications due to poor hygiene and sanitation. Although organizations such as Amref have initiated projects to help, a lot more still needs to be done.
By Joshua Masinde
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