By Our Reporter 

SOROTI CITY — Male vendors at Soroti’s main market are increasingly frustrated by long queues for the limited toilet facilities available to them. The shortage of adequate toilets for men has turned into a daily struggle, affecting their comfort, dignity, and ability to work efficiently.

Felix Ekwaru, a longtime vendor, described how the long waits disrupt their business. “Sometimes I wait over 30 minutes just to use the toilet. It wastes valuable time and makes working here difficult,” he explained.

The problem stems from an unequal distribution of toilet facilities within the market. While women vendors enjoy sufficient access to toilets, men face a significant shortage, leading to overcrowding and privacy concerns. This disparity has sparked calls from male vendors for urgent intervention.

Samuel Aliabu, acting chairman of the market vendors, confirmed the issue and urged market management to address it promptly. “We cannot continue like this. Men need decent and accessible toilets just like women. This is about respect and dignity for all vendors,” Aliabu said.

Daniel Edepu Egoriat, president of the Soroti City Development Forum, pointed to poor planning during the market’s design phase as a root cause of the problem. “The market was not designed with the needs of all vendors in mind, and now we’re facing the consequences,” he noted.

To ease the situation temporarily, Egoriat suggested allowing male vendors to use toilets designated for people with disabilities. Although not a permanent fix, this solution could reduce the queues while more toilets are constructed.

Soroti City health inspector Moses Amolo encouraged vendors to coordinate their use of existing toilets by alternating times to avoid congestion. He also emphasized maintaining hygiene standards to prevent blockages and keep facilities clean.

As the long queues persist, male vendors continue to appeal for swift action to improve sanitation infrastructure at Soroti main market — a vital step towards ensuring a dignified working environment for all.

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