Pupils forced out of school as latrine collapses in Buliisa
The collapsed latrine, which was serving 189 pupils, was constructed in the 2018/2019 financial year with funding from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
Buliisa: Pupils at St. Tereza Primary School in Bukumi Village, Nyamasoga Parish, Biiso Sub-county, Buliisa District, have been forced to leave the school premises to access sanitation facilities after the school’s only latrine collapsed earlier this week.
Francis Unenchan, the School Management Committee Chairperson, said the incident occurred at around 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday. He explained that the structure, which had only two stances, was the sole sanitation facility serving the learners.
Unenchan attributed the collapse to alleged shoddy work by TMK Agencies Limited, claiming that timber was used in constructing the slab, which later rotted and caused the structure to give way.
The school head teacher, Alex Omirambe, expressed concern over the situation, noting that pupils are now left with limited and unsafe options.
“The situation has now forced pupils to either return home to relieve themselves or wait until the end of the school day. Those who live nearby go back home, while those from far have to wait until evening. We are even at risk of contracting diseases,” he said.
Michael Anwang-Kani, the LC1 Chairperson of Bukumi Village, called on local leaders and non-governmental organizations to urgently support the school. He appealed for the construction of a temporary latrine to enable learners to continue with their end-of-term one examinations.
“We are appealing to leaders and NGOs to intervene and help construct a temporary latrine so learners can continue with their examinations. Currently, they are relying on neighbors’ facilities,” he said.
Denis Oyewa, the LC3 Chairperson of Biiso Sub-county, also blamed the contractor for poor workmanship. He revealed that the contractor will be summoned to explain the alleged use of substandard materials.
“Local authorities will intervene to safeguard the health of learners, but the contractor must explain the use of substandard materials,” Oyewa noted.
The collapsed latrine, which was serving 189 pupils, was constructed in the 2018/2019 financial year with funding from the Uganda Wildlife Authority.
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