In an effort to improve sanitation coverage in Kampala, National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has handed over Nine sanitation facilities to Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).
According to NWSC Managing Director Engineer Silver Mugisha the facilities are located at Police Primary School- Kibuli, St. Paul Primary School, Nsambya P/S, Kasanga Primary School, Mbuya PS, Muntundwe, Lubiri Primary School, Mutundwe P/S, Kiswa Market, and Centenary Park.
The project is co-funded by the KfW Development Bank (KfW) with 11.84Million Euros and the French Development Agency (AFD) which is extending 17.19Million Euros.
Handing over the facilities to KCCA authorities, Dr Silver Mugisha said the project will provide safe water to 400,000 residents and sanitation facilities to 250,000 people, including 10,000 students in KCCA-run schools.
“The project will involve constructing 64 sanitation facilities across various public locations in Kampala including 25government-aided schools, nine markets, 30 public spaces including: police stations, prisons,taxi parks,city Square and centenary Park,” Mugisha said.
Mugisha thanked Germany and French governments for the support.
He detailed the project components, highlighting the construction of a sewerage plant in Nalukolongo (Component A) and water and sanitation initiatives (Component B).
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) dated 4th January 2022 between NWSC and KCCA details the mechanism by which the sanitation facilities constructed under the Package 5B project shall be handed over to KCCA once completed.
Particulary, the MoU states that KCCA will take full control of the Public Sanitation Facilities effective from the hand-over date of each Facility.
KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka hailed NWSC’s efforts, emphasizing sanitation’s significant role in vital sectors like schools, hospitals, markets and other public spaces.
Kisaka commended NWSC for aligning with KCCA’s mission of infrastructure enhancement and urban development.
She said the facilities will bolster KCCA’s Smart City initiative
“We have a vision that says we are building a vibrant, attractive, and sustainable city. And our three key areas where people gather that need focused sanitation are our schools, our hospitals, and our markets,” Kisaka said.
She urged community members to take responsibility for maintaining the newly constructed facilities.
“These toilets should be well looked after, well maintained and there should be a mechanism of ensuring that these facilities continue to look good or even better in the next five years and beyond,” she said.
Olivier Pannetier, from AFD, and Jan Alber, KFW-Kampala Director, stressed the need for maintenance to ensure sustained community benefit from the facilities.
Ronald Balimwezo, the Member of Parliament of Nakawa East, emphasized the unfavorable impact of sanitation-related illnesses on student attendance and academic performance, hinting on the urgent need for improved sanitation infrastructure in educational institutions.
Paul Mugambe, Nakawa Division Mayor, said that the facilities will help to improve the health of the people in communities.
