A new sanitation intervention by Ntungamo District Local Government is restoring hope, dignity, and safety in schools through the construction of modern VIP latrines and classroom blocks aimed at protecting learners, especially girls and children with special needs.
For years, pupils in several government primary schools across Ntungamo District studied under the constant threat of collapsing classrooms, unsafe pit latrines, disease outbreaks, and poor sanitation facilities, with some learners forced to relieve themselves in nearby bushes.
Across several schools, the district has constructed and commissioned five-stance VIP latrines fitted with changing rooms designed to serve both able-bodied learners and pupils with special needs.
District leaders say the intervention is intended to reduce infections, improve hygiene, and create safer learning environments amid growing school enrolment.
Julius Banyenzakyi said inclusivity was a key consideration during construction.
“The latrine stances that are being constructed always consider children with special needs, and that is why there is a changing room for the girl child,” Banyenzakyi said.
At Rubanga Primary School, the newly constructed latrine replaced an old dilapidated structure that had become a danger to pupils, with some children reportedly nearly falling inside.
Frank Tayebwa said the new facility had greatly improved safety at the school.
“We had an old pit latrine but it had aged. Pupils almost fell inside and we asked the government, which gave us this new one,” Tayebwa said.
Despite the improvement, the school continues to struggle with water shortages needed to maintain proper sanitation and cleanliness because of a leaking water tank.
In some schools, sanitation challenges remain severe. At Omungyenyi Primary School, learners still rely on old pit latrines, while teachers use a temporary iron-sheet structure serving as a urinal.
Nebert Muhoozi appealed for more government support.
“We ask the government to provide more structures like classrooms and toilets,” Muhoozi said.
At Burama Primary School, teacher Robert Mwesigwa said congestion at the old latrines had previously forced pupils to defecate in nearby gardens before sanitation facilities at the school were expanded.
“We had congestion of pupils in both the girls’ and boys’ toilet sections,” Mwesigwa said.
Schools including Nyakayenje, Bukoora, Rubanga, Nyakahita, and Rukoma Primary Schools are among the beneficiaries of the programme.
Schools such as Burama and Omungyenyi primary schools, which previously operated in old collapsing structures, are also benefiting from new classroom blocks with terrazzo floors replacing old mud-and-wattle classrooms.
Fildeus Kizza said the district had prioritised sanitation and hygiene under the education budget because of their importance to learner welfare.
“Under our education budget, we have majorly concentrated on sanitation and hygiene since it is very critical to learners’ welfare,” Kizza said.
As the district implements its Shs76.1 billion 2026/2027 budget, education has been allocated Shs1.58 billion to support infrastructure and improve learning conditions across schools.
