The school Director of Studies, Joachim Bwambale says that the water shortage could result in an outbreak of diseases since the pupils no longer wash their hands after visiting the toilets.
Kamasasa Primary School in Mpondwe-Lubhiriha, Kasese District has
been hit by water shortage.
Kamasasa is one of the largest Universal Primary Education-UPE schools
in the district with an enrolment of 2,099 pupils.
Pupils and teachers have now been forced to balance between classes
and fetching water from unprotected water sources which are between 3-5 Kilometres
away from the school.
The school Director of Studies, Joachim Bwambale says that the
water shortage could result in an outbreak of diseases since the pupils no
longer wash their hands after visiting the toilets.
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Rosette Nyamuza a P.7 candidate says they miss classes and move long
distances in search of safe and clean water.
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Agnes Mbambu a parent at the school says the situation is very
risky for learners especially for some adolescent girl children who have to
keep their bodies clean.
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Kasese District Education Officer George Mainja said water is a
basic requirement and minimum standard of any school but unfortunately the response from the government is slow.
However, he says the district has tried to work with partners to
improve sanitation facilities. He wants the government to embrace solar-powered
boreholes as the immediate alternative to end water shortages in schools.
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Shine Bone the National Water and Sewerage Cooperation (NWSC) area
manager, blames the water shortage on the upgrading of the water system in the
district. He, however, says that the shortage will be rectified soon.
