Mayuge schools seek urgent solutions for menstrual hygiene waste disposal

Girls in both primary and secondary schools in Mayuge district are grappling with a critical challenge affecting their health, dignity, and academic performance — the lack of proper facilities for disposing of menstrual materials.

The situation has raised serious concern among local authorities and educational institutions.

Currently, there are no incinerators in schools across the district. As a result, sanitary waste is being improperly discarded in pit latrines, bushes, or other inappropriate areas.

This not only compromises hygiene but also reinforces the stigma and shame surrounding menstruation, making it harder for girls to fully participate in school.

Mayuge has 143 government primary schools, 12 government secondary schools, and hundreds of private institutions. Despite this wide network, many of these schools lack the essential infrastructure required for effective menstrual hygiene management.

A growing crisis

During the commemoration of International Menstrual Hygiene Management Day on May 31, 2025, Fred Muwubani, an inspector of schools in Mayuge, highlighted the severity of the issue.

The event, held at Bufulubi Primary School in the Busoga sub-region, was organised by Amref Health Africa Uganda in partnership with Absa Bank, the Netherlands Embassy, and the Iceland Embassy.

Muwubani noted that the pupil-to-latrine ratio is high in most schools and that latrines, particularly in primary schools, lack incinerators for safe disposal of used sanitary pads.

“In some schools, girls dispose of their used pads in rubbish bins or dump them in the latrines. Others pack them in polyethylene bags and toss them on their way home,” he said.

These improper disposal methods pose serious health risks and could lead to outbreaks of disease due to unsanitary conditions.

Many girls, Muwubani added, end up dropping out of school because they are unable to manage their menstruation properly.

The lack of access to sanitary materials is particularly acute in child-headed households, where parental guidance and support are often absent, contributing further to the high dropout rates among girls.

Water and sanitation shortages

Access to clean water is another challenge for Mayuge schools. Many rely on distant wells, making it difficult for pupils to maintain hygiene.

Additionally, most schools in the district lack safe rooms dedicated to girls’ hygiene needs.

While Bufulubi Primary School has made efforts to create a safe space for girls, the majority of institutions — be they primary, secondary, or tertiary — have not followed suit.

Handwashing stations are also scarce. In schools where they do exist, many are non-functional or in disrepair due to limited resources.

Muwubani appealed to stakeholders for increased support to address these gaps and improve hygiene in schools.

Pupils performing a drama on menstrual hygiene management during the commemoration of the Internation Menstrual Hygiene Management Day at Bufulubi Primary School. This was on May 31, 2025. (Credit: Lawrence Mulondo)

Raising awareness and advocacy

In response to the ongoing challenges, Mayuge District Health Educator, Deo Asaba Awebwa, said efforts to raise awareness and improve advocacy on menstrual health are gradually making a difference.

He noted that increasing knowledge about menstrual hygiene is helping to keep more girls in school and improving their overall well-being.

“One of the main causes of teenage pregnancies and school dropouts in the district is the inability of girls to access sanitary materials like pads,” Awebwa explained.

He added that these issues are being addressed through inclusive programmes that involve both boys and men, aimed at reducing the stigma around menstruation.

While the district has raised the issue of menstrual waste disposal with development partners, Awebwa acknowledged that significant work remains.

“We are advocating for incinerators in schools to ensure safe disposal of used pads,” he said. “In the meantime, schools are encouraged to safely dispose of menstrual materials in pit latrines to minimise health risks.”

Partnerships and solutions

Amref Health Africa Uganda is implementing the "Journeys Plus" curriculum under the Heroes for Gender Transformative Action programme in Busoga schools.

This initiative aims to equip girls with the knowledge to manage menstruation hygienically while also teaching them how to make reusable sanitary pads.

According to Lillian Kamanzi Mugisha, Head of Communications and Fundraising at Amref, partnerships with the Netherlands and Iceland Embassies, as well as Absa Bank, are key to supporting the Government’s efforts to ensure that every girl has access to good health.

Mugisha urged parents to play an active role in guiding their daughters and ensuring they receive accurate information on menstrual hygiene from reliable sources.

“The eastern region still faces significant challenges in keeping girls in school, with issues like teenage pregnancies and gender-based violence impacting education,” she said.

She stressed the importance of a collective effort involving young people, parents, and local authorities to create a safer and more inclusive learning environment.

Hillary Namaganda, a pupil representative, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of providing schools with proper systems for sanitary pad disposal.

“When our schools provide for our menstrual needs, it shows that they care for us, ensuring a safe and supportive space,” she said.

She called on parents to ensure their daughters have access to necessary sanitary materials and to help create a learning environment free of discrimination. “We need education without shame, with love, care, peace, and protection of our rights as girls,” she urged.

Leaders speak out

Michael Museebe, the resident district commissioner (RDC) of Mayuge, shared his own experience as a former teacher, recalling the difficulty of addressing menstruation-related issues in class — especially when a girl had her first period and lacked access to sanitary materials.

He applauded the Government and its partners for their continued efforts to ensure that every girl has access to the necessary hygiene products while at school.

Ramathan Bukosi, the LC III chairperson of Imanyiro subcounty, also reflected on how menstruation was previously treated as a taboo topic. He noted that awareness campaigns have helped communities understand it as a natural experience shared by all girls.

To mark International Menstrual Hygiene Management Day, a competition was held in which schools presented poems, songs, and dramatic performances on the topic.
Sanitary pads were also distributed to schools for girls in need.