In a commercial bank located in the Remera Sector of Kigali City, Claver Maniriho felt uneasy while waiting for his turn at the counter. He ...
In a commercial bank located in the Remera Sector of Kigali City, Claver Maniriho felt uneasy while waiting for his turn at the counter.
He had been waiting in line for almost an hour before he kindly inquired with a security officer whether he could access the restroom. "There wasn't any public restroom available," he remembers.
"I handed over my money to them, but I couldn't access a restroom. I had to go outside and search for a nearby bar where it was simpler to find a toilet. I had to exit the line, and when I returned, more people had joined the queue, so I had to wait again," he said.
The tale of Maniriho is more frequently encountered in certain public locations like banks, auto repair shops, and similar places.
Shortage of public restrooms continues to pose difficulties in both city and countryside regions.
The issue is brought up once more as Rwanda observes World Toilet Day on November 19, highlighting the challenge faced by 3.4 billion individuals who lack proper sanitation facilities.
"You can travel from Chez Lando to the Convention Centre without encountering a public restroom, but there are bus stops and gas stations available. To find a toilet, you need to go inside nearby buildings, and they are frequently not accessible," he said.
In Kigali's most crowded areas—Nyabugogo, Remera, and the city markets—public restrooms are available and typically maintained in a clean condition, although they occasionally do not have soap for use after using the facilities.
Residents appreciate these efforts.
However, beyond major cities, the circumstances turn uncertain.
Odette Mukanoheri outlines the challenges that many urban residents encounter because of the absence of public restrooms on the roads.
There are no public restrooms along many roadways. Restrooms can be found inside specific buildings, situated far from the roads, or located in areas that are very difficult to access.
In such cases, you often need to inquire with others, beg for assistance, and even after they consent, they begin searching for the key and can't locate it since it's with the individual responsible for cleaning. They then go to find that person, and several minutes elapse before you are able to use the service—it's extremely annoying.
She adds, banks are the most rigorous.
Even if you're seeking a loan with an interest rate, they will still advise you to go out and find a restroom.
For numerous individuals, the sole dependable choice is to look for a local bar—regardless of their status as a patron or not.
Consequently, certain individuals, particularly males, can be seen urinating in open areas close to roads, near trees, and alongside the walls of some structures, as they try to avoid walking extended distances to locate a restroom.
Recently, Emma-Claudine Ntirenganya, the spokesperson for the City of Kigali, was reported to have cautioned citizens that drones might record individuals urinating in public areas, despite the statement leading to discussions, as many pointed out the limited availability of public restrooms.
To bridge these gaps, the City of Kigali intends to establish 80 new public restrooms by 2025.
A total of 27 public restrooms were already in use in important passageways, markets, and taxi stands, with 75 gas stations having public restrooms installed by 2024.
Seven upgraded toilets have been newly built in Kimironko, Gisementi, Karama, and Rebero, with at least five additional ones currently being constructed.
Officials are urging the private sector to fund pay-per-use restrooms, guaranteeing upkeep and long-term viability.
The Water and Sanitation Corporation (WASAC) has also collaborated with various districts to construct 27 model public restrooms throughout the nation, with intentions to extend this initiative to markets, bus terminals, and other high-traffic areas.
Public restroom usage fees continue to pose difficulties
In Kigali, restrooms are present in certain areas—however, availability is lacking.
A hidden expense comes with a fundamental requirement, citizens stated.
Public restrooms located in bus stations and market areas typically cost Rwf100 for each use.
Patrick Irakoze, a daily traveler in Remera, mentions that the sum appears minimal until you consider the everyday situation.
"If you are employed at Remera Bus Park, you can spend up to Rwf600 daily. If you have a colleague with you, the expense remains the same. The price is steep. There needs to be an alternative method of financing the upkeep of these public restrooms—many individuals cannot afford this," he stated.
This expense presents a major obstacle for those with limited income.
Certain inhabitants of Kabuga, particularly those with limited income who run small enterprises in the region, are advocating for free public restrooms to assist individuals who cannot cover the basic fee.
"If I buy a few avocados and tomatoes, my daily earnings are minimal. I have to spend the entire day near the bus station trying to sell a few items. The small amount we make is only enough for our family's basic needs. The cost of using public restrooms is a challenge for some people with low incomes who are working hard to meet their children's essential requirements. You might need to use the restroom several times a day, paying each time," said Diane Akimana, a mother of four who sells fruits.
A story involving two different realities
In remote regions, the situation varies. Secure sanitation facilities are still limited, or not functional in certain locations.
Although Kigali faces challenges with access, certain rural areas continue to experience difficulties with availability entirely.
In Akubugingo Cell, Muyumbu Sector of Rwamagana District, Ildephonse Munyamagana is next to what he refers to as his "toilet"—a hole latrine lacking a roof, a door, and protection from the rain.
"I employ a bag to conceal the doorway," he explains.
When it rains, I simply wait for it to end. Having a good toilet demands financial resources.
National advancement, yet disparities persist beyond the statistics
As per the results of the seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV 7) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR), Rwanda has shown significant improvement in sanitation, with the proportion of households utilizing improved toilets that are not shared increasing from 66% in 2016/17 to 72% in 2023/24.
UNICEF describes fundamental sanitation as a situation where each home possesses its own toilet and does not share it with other households.
These restrooms must also prevent human waste from coming into contact with individuals.
Nationally, just 1% of families continue to engage in open defecation—approximately 1% in rural regions and 0.3% in urban areas.
In total, 94.3% of homes have access to better sanitation facilities, while 72.4% utilize an improved system that is not shared with other families.
Nearly 91% of households use pit latrines equipped with a solid slab, whereas 3.3% utilize flush toilets. The prevalence of unimproved sanitation is minimal, with 4.7% opting for pit latrines that lack a slab and 0.9% having no toilet facility at all.
A sanitation facility featuring a sturdy platform, recognized as an enhanced option by WHO/UNICEF guidelines, is commonly utilized in rural and semi-urban areas of Rwanda.
It includes a pit for waste collection, a structure for privacy, and a squatting platform or seat positioned on a strong slab.
The platform offers protection, improved cleanliness, simpler maintenance, and durability, which contributes to lowering health risks.
Sanitation access differs across regions. Kigali has the highest rate, with 99.4% using improved sanitation facilities, yet only 46.9% have improved non-shared toilets; 13.3% possess flush toilets, 86.2% use pit latrines with a solid cover, and 0.2% lack any toilet.
High population density fosters significant usage, even within better-equipped spaces.
"We reside in a compound that houses 13 rented homes and has two restrooms. Several illnesses can spread rapidly without proper hygiene," stated Susane Mukanyirihira, a resident of Kimironko Sector in Kigali.
The absence of sufficient sanitary facilities in city areas is primarily due to putting financial gain ahead of public health, resulting in landlords constructing numerous small homes on a single plot with limited or just one restroom, she explained.
In the Southern Province, 74.6% of people utilize improved non-shared toilets, 89.2% have pit latrines equipped with a slab, 7.6% use those without a slab, and 1.6% do not have any toilet facility.
In the Western Province, 76.1% of individuals utilize enhanced non-shared toilets, 5.2% rely on pit latrines lacking a cover, and 0.2% do not have any toilet facility.
The Northern Province indicates that 83.2% of people use improved non-shared toilets, 4.0% have unimproved pit latrines, and 0.9% do not have a toilet at all.
In the Eastern Province, 75.7% of people utilize enhanced non-shared toilets, 4.8% rely on pit latrines lacking a cover, and 1.2% do not have any toilet facility.
Why improved toilets lead to improved health
Experts state that insufficient sanitation, hygiene, and access to clean water may lead to a rise in Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). Soil-transmitted helminthiases are intestinal worm infections that affect people and are spread via contaminated soil.
These illnesses are called "neglected" since they have been mostly eradicated in the more advanced regions of the world, yet remain in the poorest, most excluded, or remote communities.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) play a vital role in preventing and addressing all Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) that are set to be controlled, eliminated, or eradicated by 2030.
Sanitation is crucial in reducing the risk of diseases like soil-transmitted helminthiases, schistosomiasis, and trachoma. Access to clean water and proper hygiene in healthcare settings and homes is vital for preventing and managing various NTDs and WASH-related illnesses, including infections acquired in medical facilities.
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