Paidha invests Shs38m to fix sanitation crisis in schools

Zombo, Uganda: Paidha Town Council has commenced construction of improved latrine facilities at two public primary schools in a targeted effort to address critical sanitation gaps affecting learner health and attendance.

The intervention targets Oturgang Boys Primary School and Mvungu Lower Primary School, both grappling with overcrowded and inadequate sanitary facilities as the new academic term gets underway.

LCIII Chairperson Innocent Godfred Onega said the initiative forms part of a proactive response to persistent sanitation challenges undermining pupil welfare and school performance.

Shs38 Million Allocation

The council has allocated UGX 38 million for the projects.

At Oturgang Boys Primary School, which has an enrollment exceeding 2,000 learners, additional latrine stances will be constructed to ease severe congestion during break periods.

Orwinyu Silivani, Chairperson of the School Management Committee (SMC), welcomed the intervention, noting that limited facilities have resulted in extended waiting times and deteriorating hygiene conditions.

He added that the situation would be even more difficult in a mixed-gender setting.

Lydia Musango, the Female Councillor for Oturgang Ward, described the development as a long-awaited solution to chronic sanitary deficits affecting schools in the area, including neighbouring Oturgang Girls Primary School.

Harriet Acan, Deputy Headteacher of Oturgang Boys Primary, expressed gratitude to the council and pledged full cooperation during implementation.

At Mvungu Lower Primary School, the project involves construction of a Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine block after existing facilities were condemned due to structural weakness and poor hygiene standards.

Local leaders said the unsafe facilities posed health risks and contributed to absenteeism among learners.

Contractor and Oversight

The works are being executed by Jalome Investment Limited over a three-month period under supervision from the council’s engineering department.

Judith Fuacan, Clerk to Council acting for the Town Clerk, directed the contractor to prioritise quality assurance throughout implementation.

During the site handover at Mvungu Lower Primary School, Onega emphasised that improving the learning environment is central to his political accountability mandate.

“We believe this intervention will bring smiles to the faces of our learners very soon,” he said.

Hon. Agness, the Female Councillor for Dwonga Ward, commended the council’s leadership and called for similar interventions across other schools facing sanitation challenges.

Recently, the council completed a VIP latrine at Cana Primary School, resolving a long-standing sanitation crisis that had forced learners to share facilities with neighbouring households.

National Sanitation Gaps

The Paidha initiative comes against a backdrop of broader national sanitation challenges.

According to data from the Ministry of Education and Sports, cited in a 2024 statement by Director Ismael Mulindwa, Uganda’s national pupil-to-latrine stance ratio stands at approximately 1:71, far above the recommended standard of 1:40.

Further statistics from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) show that about 37% of primary schools and 25% of secondary schools lack access to clean water, while 60% of rural schools operate without basic sanitation facilities.

Zombo District alone has 92 public primary schools, many of which continue to face sanitation deficits despite phased interventions by local governments and civil society partners.

Paidha Town Council leaders expressed optimism that the ongoing projects will significantly improve hygiene conditions and support safer, more conducive learning environments.