By Weswa Ronnie
MBALE CITY
Wateraid, a non-government organization has handed over a complete modern water borne toilet to Kikindu Market, Northern City Division, Mbale City.
This modern water Borne toilet worth Shs59M handed over on Wednesday, 3rd July, 2024 was constructed at Kikindu market located at Namakwekwe Ward with the aim of improving on hygiene of vendors in the market.
While handing over the facility to Mbale city authorities, Joyce Magala, the country director wateraid said that the hygiene of the market has been poor.
She added that mothers and female vendors have been lacking where to ease themselves and change pads from during their menstruation periods.
Magala also says that people with disabilities who come in the market as clients and those who operate from there have been having challenges of easing themselves in one pit latrine which was even full and in a sorry state.
The country director says that this new modern toilet has a department where mothers can use to change their pads, separated female toilets, male toilets, toilets of people with disabilities and where Muslims can go and wash themselves before going for prayers.
Kakai Kharite, the Deputy Mayor of Mbale city expressed her happiness with the project saying other non-government organizations should emulate water aid and support the city with other projects.
She says that Mbale city is going to play its role of installing and paying for water bills there but urged vendors to keep the facility jealously since it’s the first Market in the city to get such modern water born toilet.
Khalid Nambasi, Chairperson of people with disabilities at Kikindu market says that the old facility had become dilapidated and was full which has been putting lives of vendors in danger.
Rose Manyifu, one the vendors urged the market authorities to put fair fees for usage of the toilets such that vendors and customers can afford to use it saying authorities had been charging high fees for the old facility.
Kikindu is one of the market belonging to Mbale city with over 9000 vendors.
