Amolatar, Uganda – A maternity latrine at Etam Health Centre III in Etam Town Council collapsed on the evening of November 27, 2024, after underground water flooded the pit and weakened its structure.
The incident, which occurred at around 8:30 PM, has raised serious concerns about the safety of sanitation facilities in the flood-prone district.
Sister Catherine Angom, the in-charge of Etam Health Centre III, explained that water seeping into the latrine pit over time caused the collapse.
“This is a recurring issue in Amolatar. Water often fills the latrine pits, and sometimes, it appears as though they are filling with waste when it’s actually underground water. This time, the flooding was too much, and the structure gave way,” she said.
Amolatar District, bordered by Lake Kyoga, frequently experiences flooding due to its low elevation. Heavy rainfall in the Lango Subregion over the past two days has worsened the situation, with several communities experiencing similar problems.
Bonny Ogili, the Health Information Assistant at the facility, warned of further dangers.
“Two other patient latrines and one staff latrine are already filled with water. Cracks are visible on the walls, and I fear more collapses may occur soon. I urge everyone—staff, patients, and caregivers—not to use these compromised facilities,” Ogili cautioned.
He also confirmed that no one was using the maternity latrine at the time of its collapse, and no injuries were reported.
Okello George, a caregiver at the facility, criticized the construction quality of the latrines, attributing the collapse to weak structural designs.
“This was bound to happen. The hospital administration should consider building dry box latrines instead, as they are more suitable for flood-prone areas like ours,” he suggested.
Efforts to reach the District Health Officer (DHO) for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone was unavailable.
This is not the first time flooding has caused such incidents in the district.
Schools near the shores of Lake Kyoga have previously reported similar latrine collapses, highlighting the vulnerability of public infrastructure to waterlogging and heavy rains.
Amolatar’s geographical challenges, compounded by climate change, call for urgent intervention to protect the health and safety of residents.
Experts recommend flood-resistant infrastructure, improved drainage systems, and the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives like elevated dry toilets.
Etam Health Centre III is a critical facility serving Kioga North Constituency and its surrounding communities.
The collapse of its maternity latrine puts patients and staff at risk and disrupts essential services.
Authorities must prioritize the reconstruction of safe, durable sanitation facilities to prevent further incidents.
As the rains persist, the community remains on high alert, hoping for immediate intervention to address the crisis and ensure the safety of both patients and healthcare workers.