Government has released K23 million to improve sanitation conditions at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road Campus.
According to the Ministry of Education, the funds were released following a directive from President Hakainde Hichilema, who acknowledged students’ concerns after recent unrest triggered by sanitation challenges.
Ministry of Education Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Kelvin Mambwe, announced the development when he addressed students at the Great East Road Campus.
Dr. Mambwe said the funds are intended to address sanitation issues at the institution, as well as improve the campus water reticulation system.
“The money that the President has ordered to be released is to ensure that we bring sanity and improve the sanitation situation here,” he said.
He assured students that the funds would help improve sanitary conditions at the campus.
As an interim measure, Dr. Mambwe said government will provide mobile toilets across the campus to ensure students have access to proper facilities.
He added that the mobile toilets would be made available on April 2, 2026, as a temporary solution.
Earlier this week, UNZA students at the Great East Road Campus protested over ongoing water disruptions, blocking roads in response to the situation.
The sanitation and water challenges were further highlighted by the death of a second-year student who drowned in a pit that had been dug as part of efforts to resolve the crisis.
President Hichilema expressed his grief over the incident and extended condolences to those affected.
What happened at UNZA is extremely bad that a life could be lost like that. But just imagine HH in opposition and a life is needlessly lost like that at UNZA. There could have been a field day of words, statements and vibes against the government. This issue requires full accountability from both the government side and UNZA side. Students must say it when things are not working and not living in unsanitary conditions because of restored meal allowances.
Negligence of the highest order
Unza wasn’t designed for hostel cookery. All its students were supposed to eat from designated dining halls.
Governments decision to let these “children” who cant even manage basic hygiene to feed themselves has created sanitation and pest havens that can even give birth to epidemics. Don’t say you haven’t been warned.
Actually the ruins can handle cookery and food storage a little better than those tiny rooms from Kafue Eastwards. Those are mukukus unsuitable for the overcrowding now taking place because of lack of rooms