A partnership between religious groups and development organizations is bringing much-needed relief to schoolchildren in Mukono, where poor sanitation has long made learning difficult. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Water for People have joined forces to build modern toilet facilities at two primary schools, dramatically improving conditions for hundreds of pupils.

The new sanitation blocks, worth 270 million shillings, were officially opened this week at Bishop East Primary School and Nyenje Church of Uganda Primary School. The facilities include special toilets for boys and girls, handwashing stations, and most importantly private washrooms and incinerators to help girls manage their periods with dignity. For many students, these simple improvements could mean the difference between staying in school or dropping out.

“Christianity isn’t just about preaching – it’s about showing love through action,” said Rev. Canon Godfrey Ssegendo during the handover ceremony. The Mukono Cathedral leader praised the project for addressing one of the most persistent barriers to education in Uganda: lack of proper toilets and washing facilities.

Fredrick Kyambadde, representing the Latter-day Saints, explained why his church chose to focus on school sanitation. “Faith without works is dead,” he said. “These children shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their education.” The church has been involved in similar projects across Uganda, but this marks their first major partnership with Water for People in the country.

The impact on students’ lives could be transformative. At many Ugandan schools, broken or nonexistent toilets force children to relieve themselves in bushes, exposing them to disease and danger. Girls often miss school during their periods when there are no private facilities to change sanitary pads. The new buildings at these Mukono schools include special incinerators for safe disposal of menstrual products – a simple solution that could keep dozens of girls in class throughout the month.

Local parents and teachers welcomed the improvements but said more work remains to be done. “We’re grateful for the toilets, but our classrooms are still falling apart,” said one parent, pointing to cracked walls and leaky roofs in the 50-year-old school buildings. During heavy rains, some classrooms become unusable, forcing lessons to be held outside or canceled entirely.

Mukono’s Resident District Commissioner Rhoda Titwe Kagaga used the occasion to remind parents of their responsibilities. “No child should be sent home for unpaid fees,” she warned school administrators. “And no child should miss school because of something as basic as a toilet.”

Education experts say poor sanitation remains one of Uganda’s biggest obstacles to keeping children – especially girls – in school. Nationwide, about 23% of schools lack adequate toilets, according to government data. The problem is worst in rural areas, where many schools make do with pit latrines that often collapse or become health hazards.

The Mukono project offers a model that could be replicated across the country. By combining religious groups’ fundraising power with development organizations’ technical expertise, similar partnerships could bring decent toilets to hundreds of schools currently going without.

As students at Bishop East Primary tested their new handwashing stations for the first time, the excitement was palpable. “Now I won’t have to hold it all day,” said one 10-year-old girl, grinning as she demonstrated how the taps work. For her and her classmates, these new facilities represent more than just toilets – they’re a chance at a better education and a healthier future.

With the successful completion of this project, attention now turns to other schools still waiting for similar improvements. Local officials hope the Mukono example will inspire more organizations to invest in school sanitation, turning the tide on one of Uganda’s most persistent education challenges. As one teacher put it: “Every child deserves to learn in dignity. Today, we’ve taken one small step toward making that a reality.”