As the world gets ready to celebrate Global Handwashing Day, Uganda’s handwashing rate has climbed to 61% in urban areas, surpassing the country’s 2020 National Development Plan II target of 50%.  

The figures were revealed by Joseph Eyatu, the Commissioner Rural Water Supply and Sanitation at the Ministry of Water during the launch of the Global Handwashing Day celebration activities on Thursday, October 7 in Kampala. 

“For over five years we were stuck at 37% but because of the pandemic, we have jumped to 61%. This is great progress, and we hope the momentum is maintained,” Eyatu said, who represented the Minister for Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris. 

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, the handwashing rate in urban areas stood at 40%. In the rural areas handwashing has also improved from 38% to 44.7% according to current figures by the Ministry of Water and Environment. 

Because of the COVID-19 threat, Ugandans embraced handwashing practice as one of the key measures to reduce the spread of the virus.

 To educate and encourage the public to see the ways and benefits of properly washing their hands with soap, every year Global Handwashing Day is celebrated on October 15. 

The day will be celebrated under the theme; “Our Future is at Hand, let’s move forward together”. Vice President Jessica Alupo will be the Chief Guest. 

“Washing hands frequently with soap and clean running water protects you, your family and community against disease, like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid,” Cheptoris said. 

Diarrhoea is a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world and is the second leading cause of death among children under five.

(L-R) Joseph Oriono Eyatu, Ag. Director of Water Development Ministry of Water and Environment, Shira Aingh, WASH Manager UNICEF chat at the media launch for the Global Handwashing Day2021.

The simple act of handwashing with soap at the correct moments, particularly after contact with faeces, may reduce the risk of diarrhoea by 23–40%.

“Washing hands will save us money, time and hospital visits,” Cheptoris said. 

Inoue Yuki, a representative from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), said sensitization and increased access to water and handwashing facilities will be key in future. 

“Handwashing rates tend to be higher when facilities are accessible and suitably located. This is what we need to be doing to have more people washing hands,” Yuki said. 

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, people installed and used handwashing facilities, while local governments supported by non-governmental organisations and private sector donations accelerated the installation of handwashing stations with soap and water in public places.

 "Covid-19 is very serious even up to now, we don't know when it will go away. We are committed to supporting the ministry of water to fight Covid-19 and promote hygiene," Yuki said. 

Shiva Singh, the WASH manager at Unicef Uganda, said more resources are needed to change the attitude of the communities. 

“If there is one thing, we have learnt from the Covid-19 era, it is, that personal hygiene is of the utmost importance for our health,” Singh said.

 The benefits of having clean hands and proper washing were widely publicised by governments and health agencies across the globe.

 “Availability of water is key, and we have put interventions to improve access to water during this pandemic and we shall continue improving,” said Martha Naigaga the Sanitation Coordinator, Ministry of Water. 

“Let’s make handwashing the way of life,” she added. 

The Global Handwashing Day was first observed in 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden. 

The UN General Assembly later marked October 15 as the day to observe Global Handwashing Day.