When schools across Uganda closed for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure suffered. For the 16 primary schools supported by The Kasiisi Project, the consequences were clear: a 2022 survey revealed that 45% of latrines were full, collapsing, or unusable.

Sanitation and Education: A Critical Link

Ugandan regulations call for one latrine per 40 students—already double the U.S. standard—but after COVID-19, our partner schools averaged 72 students per cubicle. In 25% of cases, over 100 students shared one latrine. This is not just a sanitation issue. It’s an education crisis because illness from poor hygiene reduces student attendance and learning and girls miss school during menstruation when they lack private, hygienic spaces at school. To keep kids in school and ensure they are ready for learning, gender-sensitive sanitation is a priority within The Kasiisi Project’s school infrastructure improvement strategy.

Rutoma girls use the new tank for handwashing near the newly installed latrine.

Rutoma’s New Latrine Block

Thanks to a recent grant from the Trinitarian Congregational Church in Concord, Massachusetts, we addressed one of our most pressing latrine needs: Rutoma Primary School. Last year, this school had only one latrine available for its 216 girls.

Project Highlights:

• Construction began: February 2025, Opened: April 2025

• Facilities include:

  • A new latrine block with 3 toilet stalls and 2 private washrooms for girls

  • A wall outside the latrine to ensure privacy

  • A rainwater harvesting tank for handwashing and soap access. These upgrades were informed by a 2024 student survey we conducted that identified lack of water and soap at school as key barriers to proper student hand hygiene.

Rutoma girls celebrate the latrine opening with their Headteacher (left) and teachers who lead their after-school health clubs (right).

Impact of this Project

• 432 students now have access to clean water during the school day

• 223 girls benefit from clean, private facilities that support their health, attendance, and dignity

Clean, accessible latrines are as vital to education as books and classrooms. By investing in sanitation, we’re investing in health, equity, and the future of every child—especially girls. When girls have safe spaces to manage their hygiene, they miss fewer school days and are more likely to succeed academically.

Please consider supporting our work today—because every child deserves a safe place to learn.