KAMPALA – National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has called on Ugandans to stop disposing used condoms, sanitary pads and other products in sewerage toilets saying the items have caused a mess in the sewer lines across the country.
Taking to their official twitter handle today, Tuesday October 1, the Corporation wrote; “Help us serve you better: Wipes, condoms, plastic, sanitary products, cotton wool, and dental floss are a mess in our sewers. Help us avoid blockages by always throwing them in the bin, rather than flushing them down the toilet.”
While releasing the statistics on the 2017 performance for the Corporation, NWSC’s total sewerage connections as at 2013/2014 was put at 18,810 then rose to 21,072 in 2016/2017 and this same growth was recorded at 21,616 in 2017/2018 indicating a 2.6% improvement.
Silver Mugisha, Managing Director NWSC defended the emphasis on water arguing that there is no way the Corporation can establish sewerage infrastructure in places with no water as this wouldn’t be logical.
Dr. Mugisha said: “Water is used for cooking, sewerage isn’t. If you have priority, what do you think people would use most? At least with sewerage, people can use pit latrines and septic tanks. We have limited resources, sewerage is very expensive yet it doesn’t cover many people. Let us encourage people to use appropriate technology to dispose waste.”
In 2018, the Corporation added 40km within Kampala with areas of Kyambogo, Naguru, Mbuya Butabika joining the network following the completion of Kinawataka sewerage treatment plant. There was further extension at Lubiiji treatment plant that saw Kawempe hospital connected to the sewerage line with areas of Namungoona coming on board and further studies for the plant in Nalukolongo has been undertaken with land acquisition taking shape, to pave way for further sewerage extension.
