Condoms block Masaka municipality sewerage plant

By Francis Emorut                                       

MASAKA - Condoms flushed from the toilets of lodges in Masaka town and also dumped in the sewerage plant threaten the municipality's sewerage system functioning.

The National Water Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) sewerage plant that was built in 1952 has been intruded by town dwellers who dump condoms and polythene bags into it.

"The condoms and dead animals like dogs and cats and are being dumped into the sewerage plant and they cause blockage, making workers to constantly unblock the manholes," Joseph Mugenyi the area manager NWSC Masaka told MPs of Parliamentary Forum on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene and officials from Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET) on Friday.

The group of legislators was on a field tour to assess the implementation of WASH programme in the district.

Mugenyi said his workers have a mighty task to prevent the municipality from being enveloped in filth if the sewerage overflows.

"The workers keep monitoring and unblocking the manhole whenever they have been blocked by condoms to prevent the sewerage from overflowing. Otherwise, the whole town would be full of stench," he said.

The water area manager said plans are underway to fence the sewerage plant to prevent residents of the town from dumping waste into it.
 

A team of MPs inspected the plant on Friday. (Photo credit: Francis Emorut)

Workers who always unblock the sewerage pipes. (Photo credit: Francis Emorut)

The sewerage plant was built 63 years ago. (Photo credit: Francis Emorut)

Condoms and dead animals are usually dumped in the sewerage plant. (Photo credit: Francis Emorut)

The vice chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum on WASH Ephraim Biraaro emphasized the need to sensitize the municipal dwellers on the dangers of flushing condoms into their toilet systems or dumping them in the sewerage plant.

He appealed to the district leaders to sensitize the masses on the proper way of condom disposal.

Biraaro also called for the implementation of the polythene bag law which banned its manufacture.

Ngora Woman MP Jacline Amongin, who is also the chairperson of Parliamentary Forum on WASH, called for more funding for water, sanitation and hygiene.

She asked the district authorities to prioritise sanitation and hygiene.

The MPs were also shown new technologies of water source and harvesting in Kalungu.

Lawmaker Hatwib Katoto warned that if the district authorities don't take action the municipality would experience an outbreak of cholera.