UGANDA, Mbale | Real Muloodi News | Mbale City is confronting a serious sanitation crisis, with many residents and workers facing health risks due to a significant shortage of public toilets.
The situation has escalated, leading to widespread open defecation and unsanitary conditions throughout the city.
Street cleaners in Mbale City, including Ms. Robinah Nandutu, have been struggling with the daily challenge of cleaning streets littered with human waste.
Ms Nandutu, who has been maintaining the streets of Mbale City for many years, described the worsening conditions that have made her work increasingly difficult.
“Every day, as I sweep the roads and sidewalks, I come across faeces wrapped in polythene bags. People are using open trenches and sewerage holes as their toilets, and it’s making my job extremely difficult,” she said.
The sanitation problem in Mbale City is not limited to human waste; it also extends to rampant littering of garbage, including plastic bottles and food wrappers.
Ms. Jane Nambozo, another cleaner working on Naboa Road, expressed her frustration with the situation.
“The streets are constantly being dirtied again and again. I just wish people would understand how important it is to keep our city clean and take responsibility for their waste,” she said.
Compounding these issues, street cleaners like Ms. Florence Nabutsele have reported a lack of protective gear such as gumboots and gloves, further exposing them to health risks as they perform their duties.
The sanitation crisis in Mbale City is underscored by approximately 25 per cent of households that lack access to improved sanitation facilities. This shortage has led to widespread reliance on open defecation and makeshift toilets, which are linked to severe health risks, including outbreaks of diarrheal diseases and cholera.
Naboa Market Street, Nabuyonga Rise, and Cathedral Avenue are the most affected areas.
Recent health reports have indicated a significant increase in cholera and acute diarrheal cases, with over 200 people affected in recent outbreaks.
A 2023 survey by the Mbale City Health Office revealed that communities practising open defecation experience a 30 per cent higher rate of gastrointestinal infections, highlighting the urgent need for improved sanitation infrastructure to protect public health.
In response to these challenges, Ms Nabutsele mentioned that during a recent meeting with community leaders, it was agreed that the city would allocate municipal resources from taxes to support the construction of more public toilets and provide consistent water supply.
“We hope that these new facilities will help address the current sanitation issues and provide much-needed relief for residents,” she said.
Youth advocate Ms. Janet Nambuya emphasised the importance of ensuring that public sanitation facilities are available and accessible to all residents of Mbale City.
“The current reliance on makeshift toilets and open trenches is unsanitary. Many children on the street are forced to use inadequate and unsafe sanitation options,” she said.
Ms Nambuya added that improving access to proper sanitation facilities is crucial for safeguarding the community’s well-being and reducing the risk of disease.
Businessman Mr John Khauka echoed these sentiments, stating that the city desperately needs improved sanitation options to protect the dignity of its residents.
“Access to clean and safe toilets is a basic necessity that every city should provide for its people,” he said.
However, for many residents, the cost of using the available public toilets remains a significant barrier. Mr Joel Wanda, a taxi driver at the main taxi park, pointed out that the toilet fee, which ranges between USh500 and USh1000, is too expensive for many people.
“As a result, most men end up relieving themselves in corridors and nearby bushes, worsening the town’s sanitation problems,” he said.
Mr. Wanda’s observation highlights the urgent need for more affordable and accessible public toilets in Mbale City.
Ms. Betty Mutonyi, who works in textiles at the taxi park, added that the available public toilets are not only expensive but are also in a deplorable state.
“These toilets are often filthy, with overflowing waste, foul odors, and unsanitary conditions that make them almost unusable. This discourages people from using them, leading to an increase in open defecation and urination in public spaces,” she said.
The issue is further complicated by the behaviour of certain individuals in Mbale City. According to Ms Esther Nambi, a resident, people with mental health challenges and individuals frequenting nightclubs often contribute to the problem by using open spaces for defecation.
“This creates serious hygiene issues and adds to the already existing sanitation challenges,” she said.
Ms. Nambi mentioned that this is particularly common on Naboa Road, where the lack of proper sanitation exacerbates the problem.
Market vendors are also affected by the lack of water in the market, which worsens the condition of the available toilets.
Ms Grace Nalubega, a vendor, noted that the absence of water makes it impossible to keep the market toilets clean.
“In the market, we have toilets, but there’s no water to clean them. They are so dirty and foul-smelling that they prevent customers from coming to buy our goods,” she said.
Health experts have raised concerns about the public health implications of Mbale City’s sanitation crisis.
Dr. Margaret Nansubuga, a public health expert with the local NGO ‘Smart Environment,’ stressed the need for community education on proper hygiene practices.
“Public toilets are often neglected by their owners, who concentrate solely on collecting fees. This neglect results in facilities being extremely dirty and emitting unpleasant odors, which deters their use and worsens the sanitation crisis,” she said.
Mbale City Health Officer Mr Moses Mugonya emphasised that access to proper sanitation is a fundamental right for every individual.
“Our goal is to create a healthier, safer, and more dignified environment for everyone. Just as we want to ensure that every resident of Mbale has access to safe and clean toilets, we will continue to do our part to uphold and improve sanitation standards throughout the city,” he said.
City communication officer Mr James Kutosi acknowledged the challenges posed by the lack of public toilets, attributing it to limited tax revenue.
He noted that private individuals have stepped in to provide toilet facilities at a cost, but this is not a sustainable solution.
“We are actively looking into securing financial support or assistance from non-governmental organisations to help provide these essential facilities,” he said.
As the city grows, addressing the shortage of public toilets and enhancing sanitation infrastructure will be critical in preventing further health risks and promoting a cleaner, safer environment for all.
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