UGANDA: “Flying toilets” still not grounded
KAMPALA, 8 January 2010 (IRIN): The lack of adequate sanitation facilities in the Ugandan capital, Kampala, has led to increased use of polythene bags – known as “flying toilets” – for human waste disposal, local officials said.
The situation is worse in slums where infrastructure is basic. The few private and public facilities that exist charge up to 200 Uganda shillings (ca. 50 øre) per use of a toilet.
– These areas are characterized by poor drainage systems and in the rainy season, the problem becomes worse. We have not invested enough in this area., said Bernard Luyiga, a councillor in Kampala district.
– Water and sanitation in Kivulu (a slum in Makerere area, which he represents on the city council) are among the worst I have come across in my life. We tried to use Eco-san toilets… but the ‘flying toilet’ has remained rampant, added he.
Eco-san toilets use a natural biological process to break down human waste into a dehydrated, odourless, compost-like material, and save on water use. They were developed in South Africa in the 1990s.
It is difficult to tell how many facilities exist in Kivulu, but several pits latrines were visible, with dilapidated (nedslidte) rusty iron sheets for walls, cracked floors and plastic roofs.
Contaminated springs
The situation is similar in other slums. About 6,2 percent of households in the city have no toilet facilities at all. Most, according to chief health inspector Mohammed Kirumira, are in the slums.
– Human waste is a problem to reckon with and many households lack a toilet, bathroom or kitchen, Kirumira told IRIN.
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