Only 43% Buvuuma residents have latrines - report

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ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH

The community-led total sanitation approach (CLS) report 2025 reveals that the percentage of residents of Buvuuma district who have tried to set up a structure where they can deposit faecal matter stands at only 40%.

The poor latrine coverage indicators that are unacceptably below the national latrine coverage (78% -UBOS 2024) have worried authorities.

In a bid to improve hygiene and sanitation in Buvuuma district, Buganda Kingdom Prime Minister Charles Peter Mayiga urged the Buvuuma sub-county chief, Michael Mbowa Wamala, to sensitise the community on latrines and embrace handwashing practices.

Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayinga chating with Michael Mbowa Wamala, the Buvuuma sub-county chief (left) and other officials at Kasaali B landing site. (Photo by Agnes Kyotalengerire)

“How are you going to be healthy without pit latrines?” Mayiga asked. He estimated that about 75% of preventable diseases are caused by a lack of handwashing.

He noted that the hands carry many pathogens, and when handwashing is not done, it becomes dangerous.

He also rallied the community, particularly the fishers, to embrace health-seeking behaviour.

“Based on the little money you get, you should take off a portion to pay for health care for your family members.”

This was during Mayiga’s tour of Buvuuma Health Centre IV, marking the end of his three-day visit on Buvuuma Island under the program of enhanced intervention in the Health and Agriculture project (Emwanyi Telimba).

In attendance were Buganda Cabinet Ministers, Oweek. Hajji Amisi Kakomo (Minister of Agriculture), Oweek. Noah Kiyimba (Minister for Cabinet and Protocol Affairs) and Oweek. Chotildah Nakate Kikomeko (Minister for Social Services) in the Buganda Kingdom.

Commissioner at the Uganda AIDS Commission, Dr Stephen Watiti and UAC’s zonal coordinator, Mary Namuyomba, were also in attendance.

District officials speak out

Buvuuma’s environment officer, Muhammed Mukwaya, blamed it on inadequate land, noting that people in the upper islands live in such a congested manner that they have no space to construct a pit latrine.

“Additionally, most of the areas are rocky, making it difficult to dig a pit latrine. Besides, some sub-counties have a high-water table, and as a result, after digging four to five feet, they get to the water. The population in Buvuuma is mobile, and when the fishing season ends, they leave,” Mukwaya noted.

Mukwaya also mentioned the high pit latrine construction costs, especially for ferrying materials. He equates the construction of a pit latrine of three stances to the cost of a three-classroom block.

“Lyabana town council has got only one waterborne toilet, but the challenge is that people discharge the faecal matter in the lake where they draw water for domestic use,” Mukwaya said.

The in charge Buvuuma Health Center IV in Buvuuma district Dr Remmy Ndyanabo talking to the Katikkiro of Buganda Charles Peter Mayinga during the facility tour. (Photo by Agnes Kyotalengerire)

Based on the dire situation, Mukwaya says a cholera outbreak is a real concern.

He said they have appealed to the Ministry of Health to provide the district with appropriate technology to help the situation.

Health ministry speaks

The senior environment officer at the Health Ministry, Dickson Wandera, recommends the Ecological Sanitation (EcoSan) technology for people living in rocky areas.

“Alternatively, they can dig until they get to the rock and then line the pit going upwards for easy emptying. However, Buvuuma, being part of the island, lacks pit latrine emptiers as recommended by market-based sanitation,” he said.