Five years ago, there was only one retirement benefits saving scheme, but today, there are 63 schemes covering the labour force in both the formal and informal sectors.

The United Nations 2030 agenda for sustainable development seeks to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and to end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of girls and women, and those in vulnerable situations.

It also seeks to improve water quality by reducing pollution, to halve the amount of untreated waste water by 2030, and to substantially increase recycling and safe reuse.

However, for that to be achieved, waste matter has to be contained, transported, treated and disposed of in a safe and sustainable way. Today, for billions of people around the world, sanitation systems are either non-existent or ineffective.

Human waste gets out and killer diseases spread, meaning progress in health and child survival is seriously undermined. Waste water refers to used water, which could be a byproduct of domestic, industrial, commercial or agricultural activities.

Sewer inflow is also referred to as waste water. It is usually from flush toilets, bath water and sinks. Waste water has varying concentrations of physical, chemical and biological pollutants.

Yet, treated waste water, which is also called effluent, can be reused. Refering to this year's World Toilet Day theme, Daudi Mukama Mukungu, a sanitation specialist, says waste water has been neglected for long, yet it is causing the country a lot of challenges.

Mukama says waste water from industries and factories is channeled into our natural water resources, such as lakes and rivers, causing water pollution.

Additionally, homesteads do not take care of the waste water, consequently contributing to poor sanitation. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY

Handwashing key to better family health

By Ritah Mukasa

Washing our hands with soap after visiting the toilet or before eating should not be overlooked. Keeping our hands clean is one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.

Hand-washing should be done cautiously and consistently to achieve sustainable results. According to the Uganda Water and Environment Sector Performance ReportM, 2017, hand-washing is one of the greatest means of ending epidemics of water borne diseases, which ultimately translates to good health.

Rachael Namugambe, the headmistress of Nakifuma Voluntary Primary School in Mukono district, says handwashing is still a challenge among rural children.

"Out of 100 children, only 10 can willingly wash their hands after visiting the toilet," she notes, adding that they remind them about the importance of washing hands.

Namugambe says many children do not comply because the hand-washing practice does not exist in their homes. The school puts handwashing points in strategic locations, such as near the toilets.

"Parents should be taught about the dangers of not washing hands and they should also introduce this practice to their children as early as possible," Namugambe says.

Suzan Mubiru, the headmistress of Namutebi Nkata Nursery and Primary School in Kawempe, Kampala, says hand-washing has helped them maintain hygiene at school.

"Majority of our children know the health benefits of washing their hands with soap and water. All we do is to avail enough handwashing points plus advice," she affirms. CLICK HERE FOR MORE ON THIS STORY 

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