Poor sanitation costs Uganda shs 389 billion annually

WEDNESDAY, 18 APRIL 2012 07:13 BY RUKIYA MAKUMA According to the new report released by the World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program on April 17, Uganda loses 389 billion Ugandan shillings each year due to poor sanitation.  Findings in the Economic Impacts of Poor Sanitation in Africa report - Uganda, show that the 84 percent of the costs come from the annual premature death and about 90 percent of the deaths are as a result of poor water, sanitation, and hygiene. “We’ve known for some time about the impact of poor sanitation on health, but this is one of the first studies to quantify the annual costs incurred because of poor sanitation,” said Yolande Coombes, the Senior Water and Sanitation Specialist with WSP. “Uganda will not be able to grow sustainably without addressing these costs.” "Water and sanitation go hand-in-hand with human dignity.  Our study finds that the heaviest burden of poor sanitation falls on poor people," says Jamal Saghir, World Bank Director for Sustainable Development in the Africa Region.  "These findings make an irresistible case for greater investment in sanitation while removing the barriers to better sanitation services. Now is the time to tackle this urgent development priority once and for all.” According to the findings in the report, open defecation costs Uganda USD$41 million yet eliminating the practice would require less than 650,000 latrines to be built and used.