Effect of Human Urine as a Fertilizer for Vegetable Growing in Kitemu Zone, Wakiso District, Uganda

Henry Stanley Mbowa* Kampala University, Uganda & Prof. Kaaya Siraje – Kabale University, Uganda
* Email: mbowa2000@gmail.com

Received January 9, 2020; Revised March 1, 2020; Accepted March 28, 2020

Abstract: The demand for fertilizer increases with the demand for food as more fertilizer is needed to increase production. This paper assesses the effects, procedures, uses and challenges of human urine as a fertilizer to vegetables growing in Kitemu Zone, Kyengera Town Council (KTC). A case-study design and qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches were used for this paper. Forty five vegetable growers were targeted, of whom 40 were determined using Krejcie and Morgan. Results reveal that human urine is readily available and inexpensive, improves soil and fertility and plant quality, controls and repels pests, increases farmers’ incomes and livelihoods and reduces food contamination and chemical fertilizer use. However, the acceptance of using human urine as fertilizer has many limitations, including low consumption rate of water and soft foods, cultural beliefs, inadequate knowledge about the use of human urine, odour, shame, suspicion and environmental conditions. The paper recommends that KTC should sensitize households on the values of human urine, promote gender sensitivity in human urine collection, storage and application, and demonstration centres should offer short-term courses to households on how to use human urine fertilizer.