Ecological Sanitation in Uganda - EcoSanRes

Improved sanitation and hygiene:
Ecological Sanitation in Uganda
A case study of the Fossa Alterna in Mutesa 1 Primary school, Wakiso district
COMPILED BY IDA COLEMAN AND DERRICK SSEWANYANA -NETWAS-U
Mutesa 1 Primary School is located in Wakiso town council, wakiso
district. The school has a population of 220 pupils. There are two Fossa
Alterna toilet blocks that have been in use since September 2010,
constructed with support from Jo Smet (IRC). This was a remedial
action to the poor conditions that were experienced from sharing a pit
latrine between the school and the community.
The boys’ block has 2 stances where one is for the teachers and the
other for the pupils, the block also has a urinal. The girls’ block on the
other hand has one toilet stance, 2 bathrooms and urinals for the girl
pupils. Allon Lugoloobi, the teacher in charge of sanitation and eco
latrine in the school says that all pupils with the exception of primary
one and two use the fossa Alterna toilet.
The primary one and two pupils use the newly constructed spiral
composting latrine with the aim of acquiring experience for proper use
of the fossa Alterna that requires strict observation of the ash and soil
application after use.
When primary two pupils graduated to primary three, pupils then begin
using the fossa Alterna toilets; the older pupils play a tremendous role
in teaching of the new comers and the younger ones on the proper
use of the fossa Alterna. At the moment, none of the pits of the fossa
Alterna are full but when due this will require shifting to another pit.
Mr. Lugoloobi commended the pupils for the excellent use of the toilet
and attributed this kind of practice to a number of reasons. There
is a good voluntary culture of collecting ash and soil by the pupils.
The pupils are further motivated by rewarding those that are active
in collecting the ash and cleaning the toilets with gifts every Friday of
the week.
It was also observed that the pupils have out grown the negative
attitude of refusing to level the faecal matter in the collection chamber.
This activity that is referred to as “summary of the day of Ecosan” is
now done by any pupil willingly once chosen by the eco latrine teacher.
The “summary of the day of Ecosan” involves using a stick to spread
and level the faecal matter in the chamber so as flatten the cone
shaped heap. In addition, the pupils are vigilant about the maintenance
of their toilet. They actually report any forms of misconduct by fellow
pupils in using the toilet.
Spiral composting toilet used by P.1 and
P.2 pupils of Mutesa 1 Primary School
The eco latrine teacher in front of the
boys’ toilet block.
I n s p i r a t i o n a l s u c c e s s s t o r i e s
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