Teachers and pupils at Murungu Public Primary School in Rubaya Sub County, Kabale District, are grappling with a severe sanitation crisis as they share a single toilet with community members and churchgoers.
Located near the shores of Lake Bunyonyi, the school was established in 1999 and taken over by the government in 2000. Today, it has an enrollment of 204 pupils but faces dire challenges due to inadequate toilet facilities.
The sole toilet serves not only the pupils and teachers but also members of the local community and congregants of Murungu Catholic Church, leading to overcrowding and discomfort.
Herbert Kyomukama, the school’s headteacher, emphasizes the urgent need for additional facilities. “With the current number of users, the situation is untenable,” Kyomukama said. He noted that the lack of privacy and adequate facilities has particularly affected female pupils, many of whom transfer to other schools or drop out entirely after reaching puberty. He explained that boys often peep at girls during menstruation, further exacerbating the crisis.
Despite the construction of a two-classroom block by the government, Kyomukama calls for immediate intervention to build another toilet, which he says is critical for maintaining sanitation and preventing further disruptions to education.
Innocent Turyatunga, Chairman of the School’s Board of Governors, and Kenneth Twijukye Kamuduusi, the district councilor for Rubaya Sub County, echoed these concerns. They revealed that district authorities are aware of the issue and are working on a solution.
“We cannot stop the community or churchgoers from using the toilet because it could lead to even worse outcomes, like open defecation in nearby bushes,” said Moses Bwengye Tumwijukye, Kabale District Education Officer. He acknowledged the gravity of the situation but urged patience, assuring stakeholders that the matter could be addressed in next year’s financial year budget.
The sanitation crisis highlights the urgent need for improved infrastructure in rural schools to ensure a conducive learning environment and address the specific challenges faced by female pupils.