Sewage crisis hits Makerere university in the face

A rather sinister African adage goes along these lines,’ the winds have blown, what fine nakedness the hen has! It is after the wind exposes the backside of a hen that one realises that beautiful hen feathers have a lot to hide.

Makerere university is a beautiful university, with lush green environs, well manicured lawns and clean streets. The roundabouts are littered with beautiful flowers that seem to summon countless butterflies just after the rains. This is evident when mild rains fall and the warmth of the sun bestows its rays upon the soils and flowers, it is not difficult to conclude that indeed Makerere is the contemporary academic garden of Eden!

All is well till the rains fall, like the proverbial wind in the hen story, the rains expose the drainage mess within Makerere. The rains seep through the structural gaps and flood the reservoirs and soak pits. Along the Livingston road, adjacent to RUFORUM; an eating joint, a mild stench strikes you a distance away, it grows stronger and more pugnacious with every step taken till one sees the stream of Pandora! A burst sewage point! For the last ten days residents of Africa and Livingston, students of College of veterinary and passersby have endured the glorious stench that rises to meet them every single day.

Passersby cast looks of disgust and cringe their noses, the bold ones spit, adding insult to sanitation injury hovering over their heads. It indeed is a disturbing sight within the walls of a university that is supposed to be the Havard of Africa. ‘That sewer routinely flows it banks be it rain or shine.’ Laments Michael a 3rd year Quantity Survey student. “The Livingston and Africa Hall custodians will categorically tell you that the sewer is outside their jurisdiction and will ask you to go to the Estates department at senate who will thank you, promising to work on the back flow of sewage as soon as possible. The bureaucracy is as sickening. It’s something we have learnt to endure.” He adds. It indeed is only a matter of time before the sewage water which now lies in a stagnant greenish pool along the roadside turns into a health disaster. With the pouring rains, such water can end anywhere to the detriment of students. A cholera outbreak indeed is not out of question.

The pouring rains would easily carry the sewage to the nearby roadside market in Kikumi kikumi, it is not hard to reach conclusions on the repercussions of such wanton negligence. A cleaner at Livingston stone hall however reiterates that University students have habits ill befitting of adults. She claims that often blockages are discovered caused by condoms flushed down toilets. And the fact that food remains are pushed down sink drains.

She added that often especially towards the end of the semester, hard paper instead of soft tissue is used in toilets resulting into blockages. The interior minister of the same hall, Mr Buwembo, however says that the drainage system is archaic and an entire overhaul in renovation is what is required to beat the sewage crisis.