Buyiga Islanders Turn Lake Vic into Floating Toilet

What the report says

Residents of Buyiga Island in Kamengo Sub-county, Mpigi District, are facing a severe sanitation crisis, according to Nile Post. The outlet reports that more than 20,000 people on the Lake Victoria island are relying on bushes, gardens and the lake itself for defecation because many homes do not have latrines.

The problem is linked to the island’s rocky ground and widespread poverty, which residents say make it difficult and expensive to dig pit latrines. Community members estimate that only about 10% of households have toilet facilities. They say human waste is increasingly visible around homes and pathways and is also entering Lake Victoria, which locals depend on for domestic use and livelihoods.

Residents told Nile Post that poor sanitation has contributed to disease and added to household medical costs. They are calling on Mpigi District and central government authorities to build public toilets on the island as an immediate response, with some asking for at least four facilities. Buyiga B Village Chairperson Sam Basalirwa also criticised the district for collecting taxes while leaving basic sanitation needs unmet.

Mpigi District Chairperson Simon Peter Kawuki said the district would assess the situation with technical officials and consider steps such as community sensitisation and possible toilet construction. The report highlights a broader public health issue: islands with difficult terrain and limited infrastructure can struggle to provide even basic sanitation services, increasing contamination risks for water sources and nearby communities.