Shared Latrine Cleaning outcomes from a Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Intervention in Kampala Slums

Abstract

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relating to sanitation also involve conservation of the environment, improvement in quality of education, promotion/advancement of gender equality, elimination of child mortality and reduction of poverty. Globally, 2.3 billion people lack access to improved sanitation facilities (WHO 2014). Of these, 600 million people use improved, but shared latrines (Ibid). While the national average sanitation in Uganda is at 70 per cent, the extent towhich latrines produce intended health benefits depends on how they are used, cleaned and maintained (Kwiringira, Atekyereza, Niwagaba and Günther 2014a; Kwiringira, Atekyereza, Niwagaba, and Günther 2014b; Kwiringira, Atekyereza, Niwagaba, Kabumbuli, Rwabukwali, Kulabako and Günther 2016; Kwiringira 2017). Most shared sanitation facilities in slums are abandoned after a short time of use due to disuse, lack of cleaning and poor maintenance (Kwiringira, Atekyereza, Niwagaba and Günther 2014a; WSP 2008). In Kampala, 70 per cent of the urban poor use shared latrines with 47 per cent of these latrines clean enough to be used and another 45 per cent of the facilities abandoned (Günther, Horst, Lüthi, Mosler, Niwagaba and Tumwebaze 2011; Günther, Horst, Lüthi, Mosler, Niwagaba and Tumwebaze 2012).