Rukungiri– The over 4000 Residents residing at Rwenshama fishing village in Rwenshama parish, Bwambara sub- county in Rukungiri district are living in a chlorella free environment following the construction of the first ever Ecosan toilets in the area.
Previously residents have been facing a potential health hazard because of an acute shortage of modern and proper water and sanitation facilities.
The Rwenshama parish local council two ( Lc2) chairperson Mr Kenneth Nuwagaba says the construction of these ( Modern toilets) at the landing site is a great milestone in promoting the sanitary conditions of the place.
” For sure these toilets have contributed alot and it is on this point that I want to ask the government to construct more because for them they can last longer in water logged areas”. Mr Nuwagaba said.
Mr Nuwagaba added ” Ecosan toilets is the way to go because construction of pit latrines in the area is difficult because half the town is built on a wetland and during rainy seasons, pit latrines easily collapse leaving residents with on option apart from open defecation a thing puts lives at a high risk contracting diseases like cholera among other poor sanitary diseases “.
Mr Chance Henry, the Lc1 chairperson of Rwenshama fishing village hailed the government of Uganda for extending ecosan toilet facilities at the Rwenshama landing site saying that these Modern toilets have done work in Improving the sanitary conditions of the area.
” Previously, the situation was alarming because our usual toilets would not last longer. In short they would easily collapse. Like a year family would construct 3 pit latrines and this thing was very expensive to some of us but with the introduction of ecosan toilets the story had now change. I can tell you that we are now living in a free Chlorella environment “. Mr Chance said.
Mr Chance now wants the government to construct more saying that the population at the landing site increases on a daily basis and the available ecosan toilets can’t accommodate the increasing population.
The Bwambara sub- county lc3 chairperson Mr Chris Kagayano says the construction of ecosan toilets at Rwenshama fishing village is a great relief towards the improvement of sanitary conditions of the place.
” I want to thank the government of Uganda for constructing ecosan toilets at Rwenshama landing site and as the sub- county we shall do whatever it takes to promote the use of ecosan toilets as a solution to the sanitary problems in the whole sub – county because our soils are soluble and easily eroded by running waters most especially during rainy seasons”. Mr Kagayano said.
Mr Robert Mugabe, a resident fo Rwenshama fishing village says the construction of Ecosan toilets at the landing site has greatly worked for the fishing community at lake Edward.
“we are living in a free water born diseases at the moment but previously we could spend alot of money on treating such illness. So I want to thank the government for this program and ask it to construct more in other villages of Bwambara sub- county because our soils are not good for pit latrines “. Mr Mugabe said.
Ms Susan Kemugisha , a mother of 5 and a resident of Rwenshama fishing village says Ecosan toilets should be constructed at every fishing village across the country because they can survive in the water logged areas.
“The government should extend the construction of these Modern toilets to other fishing villages across because they are good and they can help in Improving the sanitary conditions of such places” Ms Kemugisha said.
When asked about the extension of Ecosan toilets to other villages of Bwambara sub- county in Rukungiri district, the Rujumbura county member of Parliament Rtd Maj Gen Jim K Muhwezi said the government is in final stages of constructing more ecosan toilets in all areas with easy and soluble soils that can be easily washed away by runoffs.
” Take heart, very soon , the whole Bwambara sub- county will be given ecosan toilets because I know that the nature of your soils can accommodate pit latrines”. Minister Muhwezi said.
He also asked the residents of Rwenshama fishing village to embrace government programs aiming at chasing poverty at household levels.
” The government has introduced very many programs aiming at chasing poverty, kindly join them and save yourselves from dying while poor” He added.
What are Ecosan toilets?
Ecosan toilets are waterless toilet systems marketed in developing countries as a solution to the poor water and sewerage coverage in urban centres.
