KCCA gets $2m to build latrines 

The town clerk of Kampala Central, Theo Tibihika (left) chats with the director of programme at African Water Association, Simeon Kenfack. Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) has received $2m (sh7.2b) to improve hygiene in the city by constructing latrines in suburbs. 

The grant is from Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in partnership with the Department for International Development (DfID).

The money will also be used to carry out a study on the number of latrines the city requires, the director of programme and professional development of African Water Association, Simeon Kenfack explained.

KCCA is expected to undertake faecal sludge management systems in the city.

During a meeting in Kampala, Kenfack, said that the same funds will be given to five cities in Africa to carry out on site sanitation management. 

The cities are Bamako-Mali, Kampala-Uganda, Yamasuku-Ivory Coast, ‎Yaoundé‎-Cameroon and Lusaka-Zambia.

KCCA carried out assessment of the city and its suburbs to find out the homes without toilet facilities.

Started in December 2015, the seven-year programme is in its second year and has been launched in many countries. 

KCCA director for sanitation, Dr Najjib Lukooya, was optimistic that the city dwellers' hygiene would improve. 

According to KCCA, about 2% of the city population lacks latrines with over 90% of the households using pit latrines of inadequate standards. 

Approximately 1.8% are estimated to have no access to toilets at all, in addition, almost 45% of the pit latrines are abandoned after five years.