Lweza Primary School in Mukono Municipality is set to receive improved sanitation facilities under a project aimed at addressing the school’s limited access to safe and inclusive facilities for its 641 learners.
Water For People, a global nonprofit organisation working to expand access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene services, has completed an assessment of the school site and is preparing to begin procurement for construction.
The project was confirmed during a planning meeting held at Mukono Municipal headquarters on Thursday, with the initiative supported by a grant of USD 250,000 from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The grant is being shared between sanitation projects at one school in Mukono and three in Entebbe.
Brenda Nabusindo, the organization’s Water and Sanitation Engineer, said the assessment had been completed, adding that the planned project will include separate five-stance pit latrines for girls and boys, together with facilities designed to address the specific hygiene and accessibility needs of learners.
The boys’ facility will include urinals, while the girls’ block will have washrooms and an incinerator for the safe disposal of menstrual materials. The structures will also provide designated sections for learners with disabilities and hand-washing facilities.
Beyond construction, Water For People plans to train and sensitise school stakeholders on the proper use, cleaning and maintenance of the facilities. The programme will also support the establishment of school health clubs to promote hygiene practices among learners.
The project runs from July 1, 2026, to June 30, 2027, and is expected to ease pressure on the school’s existing sanitation infrastructure.
For a school with more than 600 learners, the intervention goes beyond simply adding toilets. Adequate sanitation is closely linked to attendance, dignity, menstrual hygiene and the ability of children to learn in a safe environment.
The inclusion of disability-friendly facilities and hand-washing points also reflects a broader shift from simply providing infrastructure to creating healthier and more inclusive schools.
Faridah Nassolo, the Municipal Senior Education Officer, welcomed the intervention, saying Water For People had made a significant contribution to improving the wellbeing of learners through sanitation projects.
She said six institutions in Mukono Municipality have already benefited from similar interventions. They include Nyenje Church of Uganda Primary School, Bishop East Primary School, Kiwanga Umea Bajjo Roman Catholic Primary School, Ngandu Primary School and Goma Health Centre III.
Francis Byabagambi, the Municipal Town Clerk, commended Water For People and its funding partner, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for supporting efforts to improve the learning environment.
He said such partnerships complement government programmes by helping local authorities address infrastructure gaps that affect children’s welfare and education.
Water For People operates across Latin America, Africa, Asia and the United States, using its “Everyone Forever” approach to promote long-term access to water, sanitation and hygiene. The organisation works with local governments, communities and other partners to develop systems that can be maintained and sustained beyond individual projects.
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