COVID-19: Youths construct hand washing taps for communities

Mbale, Uganda |  THE INDEPENDENT |  A group of youths under their umbrella the Economic Youth Empowerment in Bugokho-Mutoto Sub County in Mbale district have embarked on the construction of TP taps for communities to promote handwashing as part of the preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group targets to construct TP taps in more than 500 households in Bugokho-Mutoto Sub County. They have so far erected the taps for families in Mutoto centre Lower, Mutoto Center Upper, Bukunalile and Bumulwani villages. 

According to the group, many communities in Mbale are not observing hand washing one of the key preventive measures against the spread of the Coronavirus, which is spread through contact with the droplets of an infected person.

The group says it has woken up to construct the TP taps, intensify hand washing and sensitise masses on the preventive measures announced by the government against the pandemic.  They say the TP taps allows one to wash hands without touching the water vessel.

One needs to step on a small stick, which is tied on the vessel for the water to flow and allow them to wash their hands. Augustine Wamalwa, the Group’s Chief Advisor, says that they are improving handwashing methods within the community and subsequently improve community hygiene and health.

He says the system they are using is cost-effective since they use small jerry cans, which cost 5,000 Shillings and threads to fasten the vessel. 

Isaac Mubasi, the Chairperson of the Economic Youth Empowerment group says their efforts are aimed at sensitising children who are currently at home to ensure the spread of the disease is contained through hand washing.

He has called upon local leaders to embrace the program and offer them support to widen their scope of providing handwashing facilities.  

Michael Busiku, a resident of Bumulwani village says, people in his village hadn’t embraced hand washing but is optimistic they do with the new development.   

Rachel Nabulafu, another resident on whose home the TP tap has been built, says it will help her and her family to regularly wash hands such that they can avoid diseases.

Ronald Mwambu, the Nauyo town council councillor, says efforts by the youths will supplement on the district sensitisation program on the prevention of the spread of COVID19. 

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