By Our Reporter
Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), under the Water of Life Initiative, has constructed a Sanitation block at the Kireka Home of the Mentally handicapped.
The Sanitation block, which was handed over to the Nnabagereka Foundation, houses 10 Bathroom and Toilet Units, supported by two Rainwater and National Water Tanks (6000 litre capacity) and will cater to over 80 mentally handicapped individuals at the facility.
Sylivia Mazzi, the former Buganda Kingdom Minister for Research who represented Queen of Buganda Sylvia Nagginda at the handover ceremony said, “There is no greater social dignity than the access to proper sanitation and water, which this facility has very ably addressed. According to Uganda Bureau of statistics, 2.7 million Ugandans lack toilet facilities. We thank Uganda Breweries for continuing to address this challenge by contribution to the water and sanitation gap in communities that you operate.”
She further explained that Nnabagereka Foundation acknowledges diversity, strive for inclusiveness, with a primary focus on the vulnerable. And this is why they partnered with UBL because of their corporate record on inclusion and diversity.
Juliana Kagwa, the Corporate Affairs Director at Uganda Breweries, said World Bank reports that the disease burden that comes as a result of poor sanitation facilities costs Uganda sh389b every year. This, she said is among the many reasons Uganda Breweries, has put Water Stewardship at the heart of its operations.
“Under our Society 2030 agenda, we have committed as company to improve water and sanitation in the communities we operate as well as use water sustainably in our own production services. We are honored that the Nnabagereka foundation chose us to partner with them to deliver this Sanitation facility to a deserving institution like this one,” said Juliana.
According to George Akera, the Chairman Kireka Home of Mentally Handicapped Management Committee, existing sanitation facilities were previously constructed for a smaller population who has since outgrown it, and had also needed a facelift.
Akera further noted that without the external support, Kireka Home of Mentally handicapped would not be able to adequately provide the important needs of the vulnerable.
“I would like to thank the Nnabagereka Foundation, and their friends from the Uganda Breweries, who responded when we called. This facility means that the delays in the morning and evenings will be reduced substantially,” he stated.