Rain, ‘aluka’, and the Dire Impact on Sanitation in Patongo

Agago: At the peak of the rainy season, Patongo parish in Patongo town council experiences an abnormal heavy downpour, which causes “aluka”, water emerging from underground from everywhere. The pit latrines filled up with running water and their walls collapsed.

At this point, most families resort to using the nearby bushes for defecation. Here, faecal matter is washed downstream, along with the mud from the roads which are not accessible because of the aluka.The same stream is shared by both animals and humans. The mud and faecal matter from the dirty roads are washed downstream which is later ‘enjoyed’ by the community and livestock

This open defecation also usually attracts house flies which contaminate food and fruits. This has led to high prevalence of water-borne diseases among children under 5 and elders in the area. This has put the health and lives of the community at risk.

With ‘aluka’ emerging everywhere, pit latrines fill up and others collapse. This is a problem affecting many people, but the situation of affected families are looked at in isolation from each other. The entire community do not clearly understand that it will indirectly affect all of them, due to the waste washing downstream and contaminating the water.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the WASH Alliance, through their WASH SDG Programme, is stepping in to provide a solution. The organization is promoting the construction of drainable latrines in the area, similar to those implemented in schools in other regions. These latrines feature a substructure that can withstand flooding and provide a strong foundation for the superstructure. By implementing these drainable latrines, the health and lives of the community can be safeguarded against the ever-worsening rainy seasons in the years to come.

By Cissy Makumbi