CIDI scales up sanitation program for the urban poor in Nakawa division

The Community Integrated Development Initiative (CIDI) has re-energized the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) support to selected schools in Nakawa Division by providing water and sanitation infrastructure projects.

The project will also include Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) sanitation, targeted towards primary and secondary schools.

Speaking on Tuesday, Hellen Kasujja, deputy Executive Director at CIDI said whereas sanitation is key, many schools are not able to access clean water, basic toilets, sanitary pads and other good hygiene practices for learners.

“Many schools are struggling with water bills and the yet the money they get under the capitation grant can’t supports them. We have raised these issues to the parliamentary WASH forum to see that we have concerted efforts of both state and non-state actors in addressing these issues,” Kasujja said.

She noted that as part of the project and in a bid to solve the sanitation and hygiene problem, CIDI will donate water tanks, wash facilities and construct more washrooms for girls.

"After lock down the pressure in schools is high as far as water and sanitation are concerned as a result of the massive   increase in number of learners joining school at once. This has put pressure on wash facilities and water,”Kasujja added.

The CIDI deputy Executive Director explained that the increased number of leaners in schools has made it difficult for schools to observe Standard Operating Procedures.

She noted that they will provide schools with incinerators for girls to dispose sanitary pads in safe places other than dumping them in toilets which leads to blockage of the systems.

CIDI will also engage National Water and Sewerage Corporation to ensure the cost of water is reduced for schools in a bid to ensure proper hygiene.

Nakawa East MP, Ronald Balimwezo noted that a big percentage of diseases disturbing people in the area are related to water and noted there is need to improve sanitation and hygiene.

"I appreciate CIDI for supporting us in improving hygiene through their innovative solution of donating tanks to our public schools so that they can reduce on high water costs through increased water harvesting. You can’t separate hygiene with better grades because a healthy student doesn't miss classes, Balimwezo said.