Assessment of adoption of alternative sanitation technologies in Uganda: The case of Kanungu Town

Abstract

The study set out to assess the adoption of Alternative Sanitation Technologies (AST) in Kanungu Town with a view to propose suggestions for improvement in adoption rates. Specifically, the study sought to assess the extent to which Alternative Sanitation Technologies have been adopted by communities in Kanungu Town; identify the factors affecting adoption of Alternative Sanitation Technologies by communities in Kanungu Town; and to recommend the most appropriate Alternative Sanitation Technologies that could be adopted by communities in Kanungu Town. The study adopted a cross-sectional research design using both qualitative and quantitative methods in which 123 respondents who included technical staff from Kanungu Town Local Government like the Health Officer, the Environment Officer, the Community Development Officer, and Sector staff from other departments in the town, members of Local Councils V, III and II; and opinion leaders in Kanungu Town participated in the study through completion of questionnaires, face to face interviews and through focus group discussions. The study found out that the Alternative Sanitation Technologies are moderately adopted in Kanungu Town. The study further found out that there are several factors that have affected adoption of Alternative Sanitation Technologies such as the fact that most people are used to the pre-existing system of pit latrines and not willing to change to a new system the other reason is that the alternative sanitation technologies require more money to construct and maintain and most people cannot afford them. Finally, the study found out that the dry sanitation type would be more appropriate as compared to the new system of sanitation. The study concluded that Alternative Sanitation Technologies are moderately adopted in Kanungu Town; there are several factors affecting adoption of Alternative sanitation technologies and among these are the fact that most people are used to the pre-existing system of pit latrines and not willing to change to a new system, the other factor is that the alternative sanitation technologies require more money to construct and maintain and most people cannot afford them, inappropriate sensitization of the communities and enforcement of the new system; and the dry sanitation, VIP or other Ecosan, VIP with pit design and VIP with fixed top structure were the appropriate sanitation technologies that would be more appropriate for adoption by the members in the Kanungu Town community. The study recommended that the authorities in Kanungu Town should endeavor to sensitize communities about the usefulness of the Alternative Sanitation technologies so as to create willingness among the community members to adopt the new system of sanitation. The CDOs should do their work in supporting communities to understand the advantages of use of Alternative sanitation technologies. The Community Department in Kanungu Town should provide technical assistance in construction of the Alternative sanitation technologies. The councilors should engage community members to ensure that they adopt the Alternative Sanitation Technologies given their benefits in ensuring hygiene in the communities.