Building proper toilets in East Africa takes more than skilled workers and materials. It’s crucial to get policymakers on board, because they can ensure that progress lasts. We spoke with Ugandan officials Denison Atuheirwe and Agabe Asiimwe, who worked closely with the FINISH Mondial programme to make their districts more hygienic — and therefore healthier.

When Denison Atuheirwe, who works for the administration of Uganda’s western Bunyangabu district, first heard about the FINISH approach over five years ago, he was immediately convinced:

“The idea that people can take out a small loan to build their own toilet is as simple as it is powerful,” he says. “Especially because FINISH made sure banks got involved, residents received education about hygiene, and masons were trained. That way, a sanitation market was created — good for both health and the economy. And because people pay for their toilets, they value them and take good care of the maintenance.”

In his town of Fort Portal, Denison was one of the first to install a proper toilet at home. “I represent the government, so I wanted to set a good example. But there was also a practical reason: I invited my neighbours to come and see it. That worked brilliantly — once people saw how well it worked and that it was affordable, they wanted one too.”

Quality sanitation

In the neighbouring Kamwenge district, Denison’s colleague Agabe says he was especially drawn to FINISH’s sustainable design.

“We’ve been working to improve sanitation for years, but the focus was always on numbers rather than quality,” he explains. “The old toilets, with dangerously deep pits that couldn’t be emptied, were easily damaged by heavy rain or termites. Once full, people had to close them off and dig new ones elsewhere. The new toilets have two shallower pits that can be emptied and reused — they last for many years.”

Another advantage is that one pit is always in use while the other, once full, is sealed off to dry. “The liquid drains out through a special system, and what’s left can be used as fertiliser. Believe it or not, these toilets are even cheaper — deep digging is risky and therefore expensive.”

Inclusive sanitation

Agabe also values the inclusive approach. “Our motto is: we leave no one behind. Some elderly people or people with disabilities can’t get a loan because their income is too low. They’re included in a cluster — a group of about ten neighbouring households who each pay a bit more so that one person who can’t afford it also gets a toilet. We’ve also developed toilets with handrails for people in wheelchairs.”

Equality is also a priority during implementation. “In many African countries, men are seen as the heads of the household,” says Denison. “We want to show that women can earn an income too. That’s why half of all the masons we train are women. At first, people found it strange to see women building, but by now everyone’s used to it.”

Sustainable sanitation

Five years after the start of the programme in Uganda, 66% of households in Denison’s district now have a proper toilet — a result he’s proud of. “We’ve made huge progress. Hospitals are seeing fewer patients with diarrhoea or cholera, and many people now earn a living building and maintaining toilets or processing waste. Everyone understands the importance — also at government level. No one wants to go back to how things were before.”

In Agabe’s province, steps are already being taken to continue without outside support. “In Kamwenge, we’ve trained 186 masons, who have now formed an association. They share knowledge and train new members themselves. So, we no longer need FINISH for that.”

We thank our FINISH consortium partners, Amref Health Africa, for sharing this interview with us. Through our FINISH programme we are working together to ensure a world where everyone is financially included and has access to safe sanitation. To further the long-term sustainability of the FM initiative, in 2023 we also incubated the FINISH Mondial Foundation (FMF). Over time, and through WASTE helping to build FMF’s capacity as consortium partner, the FINISH initiative will scale through FMF. This will ensure continuity, stronger local ownership, and lasting global impact.