As part of their civil-military relations, soldiers of the Uganda People's Defence Forces in Kabale have constructed public toilets.
The toilets are located in the taxi park and the central market in the center of the town. They are providing much relief for people of Kabale, who in the past have had to pay for the privilege of using toilets in shops and business center or to relieve themselves in bushes and empty lots.
Toilet coverage in Kabale, like most highly populated rural towns, is quite low. It is estimated that only 40 percent of business premises in the town have toilets and incidents of disease transmission in these areas is high.
It is little wonder, therefore, that a ceremony to commemorate the completion of the army-built toilets garnered much interest in Kabale. The function was attended by The Resident District Commissioner, the Mayor and his deputy, and numerous local council officials.
Pius Ruhemurana, the Mayor of Kabale town, said he was extremely grateful for the facilities. He said he would be tremendously disappointed if just months after the construction of the toilets, they were destroyed or not used at all.
Major Jim Owoyesigyire, the Commander of the Air Force, who is a native of Kagarama in Kabale, said the UPDF was not only committed to protecting Uganda against aggression, but also working for the development of ordinary citizens.
There is some excitement among workers at the market and the taxi park about the new toilets, but also a lot of murmuring. Several people who were interviewed on condition of anonymity said it was absurd that the army had to be co-opted to provide a service that is the responsibility of Kabale Municipality. They demanded that the municipal authorities show more commitment to working for the health and safety of ordinary citizens by providing them with safe water, more sanitary facilities and a clean working environment.
