Masaka City decries shortage of public toilets, high pupu fees

The city residents are raising urgent concerns over a severe shortage of accessible public toilets and the high fees charged for their use, which have led to a significant public health risk.

MASAKA CITY | If in Masaka City and you saw a person walking with stiffened buttocks and darting furtively, give way quick - they are probably stiffling fetid farts and trying to hold it all in there whilst rushing to hit their luck with a public toilet.

You see, there is shortage of public toilets in Masaka City, the residents say. And the available ones, they add, charge the cost of the meal that cause the pupu crisis.

The city residents are raising urgent concerns over a severe shortage of accessible public toilets and the high fees charged for their use, which have led to a significant public health risk.

With untreated sewage and human waste increasingly visible throughout the city, the issue has reached a critical point.

Public toilets in Masaka, already limited in number, are frequently closed or charge exorbitant fees of between Shs300 to Shs500 per use.

For many residents, these costs are simply unaffordable, forcing them to resort to relieving themselves in public spaces.

The result is a growing pollution problem, with discarded urine bottles and human waste creating an unsightly and unsanitary environment.

“The high fees are simply unaffordable for many of us,” lamented Joseph Ssettuba, a resident.

Swaib Makumbi, another local, echoed this sentiment, saying, “When toilets are closed and the cost is so high, we have no other option but to use whatever space we find.”

The lack of accessible sanitation facilities has not only caused discomfort and embarrassment but has also sparked serious health concerns.

The unsanitary conditions contribute to the spread of diseases linked to poor hygiene and environmental pollution, raising fears of a potential public health crisis.

Residents have voiced their frustration with local authorities, criticizing them for failing to address the issue effectively.

Many believe that the solution lies in making public toilets more affordable and increasing their availability across the city.

There are growing calls for the installation of more public toilets, particularly in underserved areas, and for the government to subsidize the cost of their maintenance.

Masaka City mayor Florence Namayanja has acknowledged the problem and stated that measures are being taken to address the issue.

Ms Namayanja condemned reports of improper waste disposal practices by city employees and some business owners, including using buckets to dispose of waste on roads and corridors.

“We are aware of the situation and are taking steps to enforce regulations that will prevent such practices,” the mayor said.

“This is a city that must be clean because we receive guests, and cleanliness is one of the things that attracts people here.”

Ms Namayanja added that property owners will face stricter rules to ensure that public sanitation standards are maintained.

She highlighted ongoing efforts to improve sanitation, including the installation of public toilets in key locations like Liberation Square, Kyotera Road Park, and the golf course area.

However, the mayor noted that many property owners have failed to comply with directives to provide toilets on their premises.

“We have been telling landlords to install toilets in their buildings, but many have not complied. We are going to use our enforcement team and bring them to the courts of law,” Namayanja warned.

The mayor also suggested that residents might be required to contribute a modest fee for water usage in public toilets but emphasized that the primary responsibility for addressing the sanitation crisis lies with the local government.

Discussions are ongoing about the possibility of installing more public toilets in areas where existing facilities have been sold or are otherwise inaccessible.

The situation remains dire, and residents continue to call for immediate and decisive action from local leaders. “We need immediate solutions,” urged Muhammad Yiga, while another resident, Joseph Kasirye, stressed,

“Our health and dignity are at stake.”

As Masaka grapples with this pressing issue, it is clear that a more sustainable approach to public sanitation is needed to safeguard the well-being of all its residents.

The community hopes that their appeals will prompt swift action to address the sanitation crisis and restore dignity to their city.