Spatial distribution of KCCA public toilets and how it influences their usability in central division of Kampala city.

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to investigate the spatial distribution and usability of KCCA public toilets in the Central division of Kampala. The specific objectives for this study included; 1. To investigate the spatial distribution of KCCA public toilets and how it influences their usability in the Central division of Kampala. 2. To investigate the challenges faced by the management and the users of the KCCA public toilets. 3. To suggest strategies that would optimize the usability of KCCA public toilets in the Central division of Kampala.

Various methods and techniques of data collection were used to collect the data and these included, observation, photography, mapping, questionnaire, and interview. Analysis of the data collected was done in form of maps, tables, pie charts, and descriptive analysis.

In this study, analysis shows that the KCCA public toilets are unevenly distributed and are concentrated in the civic area and Nakasero areas within the central division of Kampala. The study revealed a total of nine KCCA toilets within the Central division of Kampala and each of them has two cleaners to cater for both sex cubicles. Additionally, the users of these toilets prefer to use these KCCA public toilets because they are free of charge and additionally most of these toilets favor the pedestrians as they lack packing space for people who use vehicles.

The study also analyzed the challenges faced by the management and users of the KCCA public toilets. Some of the key research findings reveal that there is limited information about the location of these toilets, the absence of showering facilities for the users, lack of parking space for users like the boda boda men. Furthermore, other challenges include politically driven decisions, which influence the location of these toilets.

Public toilets are very important for any country as their usability is dependent upon their spatial distribution and therefore, they ought to be designed to cater for all users and provide adequate facilities.