In Uganda's northwest, new fecal sludge treatment plant offers relief
Apr 27, 2024
Sekindi said the treatment plant was a result of the government’s efforts to address the health-related challenges faced by the refugees and host communities.
Minister Aisha Sekindi opening the water point at the fecal sludge treatment plant in Rhino camp. (Photos by Robert Adiga)
Robert Adiga
Journalist @New Vision
___________________ The fecal sludge treatment facility in Rhino camp
Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in Uganda's northwest has received a fecal sludge treatment plant.
The shilling 2.3 billion facility was constructed on the border of Terego and Madi-Okollo districts.
It is expected to serve the catchment population of over 270,000 people from the sub-counties of Uriama, Rigbo, Omugo, and Rhino Camp town council.
It was built by the (Water and Sanitation Development Facility-North(WSDF-N).
It was funded by the German government, through KfW, and the Ugandan government.
The plant was officially commissioned and handed over to the Northern Umbrella of Water and sanitation by the water state minister, Aisha Sekindi, this week in the presence of leaders from both districts (Terego and Madi-Okollo).
Sekindi said the treatment plant was a result of the government’s efforts to address the health-related challenges faced by the refugees and host communities.
According to her, the intervention will rid the local communities and institutions of the open disposal of fecal matter that in turn poses health threats to the environment and water sources.
Vincent Okot Edema, the chairperson of Uriama sub-county, hailed the intervention, saying the latrine coverage in Uriama stands at 65 percent.
He also pointed out the increase in open defecation due to filled-up latrines.
Erema said many institutions within the catchment area will readily benefit from the new treatment facility.
Wilfred Saka, the district chairperson of Terego, said the lack of a fecal treatment plant had forced some youths to form an association to manually empty toilets, which has affected their health.
His Madi-Okollo counterpart, Ismail Drabe Adirish, said the lack of a fecal sludge treatment plant affected many educational and health institutions grappling with full latrines.
Adirish said the presence of the treatment plant will help save the institutions from incurring costs of constructing new toilets.
The settlement commandant of Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement in the Office of the Prime Minister, Armitage Basikania, pledged to ensure good use and management of the facility for it to achieve the intended objective.
Festus Ayikobua, the resident district commissioner of Terego, tasked the local community with embracing the use of the fecal treatment facility and ensuring effective management for sustained benefit.
He urged the community members and institutions to budget for the usage of the facility to enhance its maintenance.
Fred Othieno, the KfW senior portfolio coordinator for water, sanitation, and refugees, applauded the water ministry for putting to good use the funds from the German Government to implement projects, including in the water sector.
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