For the last 5 years ,with support from the Dutch government, The WASH SDG Programme,has been spearheaded by SIMAVI and Plan International Uganda to provide solutions in Uganda with a keen focus on hard to reach communities ,bridging the social gaps around access to basic water ,sanitation and addressing regressive gender norms.

speaking at the Uganda pavilion at COP 28,Ms. Rashidah Kulanyi, Country representative for SIMAVI revealed the impactful contributions of the programme in alleviating impacts of climate change on local communities in the Districts of Agago,Kamuli,Buyende and Nebbi.

Rashidah indicated that the programme has responded in uplifting the opportunities for Women as these usually have been the most hit by impacts of adverse climate.”In areas like agago ,”we have provided cookstove solution options that conserve energy to enable  ease the hardship that women have to undergo in sourcing for firewood”. stated Rashidah.

During the panel discussion, Mr. Samuel Andrew Kiiza, -Plan international Uganda highlighted the need to focus on key actions that propel the future of the girl child. He noted that as part of the CSO fraternity, they have focused on building the capacity of community to respond to the climate crisis through actions that conserve the environment.

‘’Climate crisis exacerbates gender inequalities and with the existing gender inequalities girls are hardest hit by the impacts of climate change’’ said Samuel

According to Mr. Kiiza ,Less than 2% of the climate strategies mention girls and this has implications of prioritization and budgeting for climate actions to help women and girls cope up with the shocks and stresses as a result of climate change

He noted that to this effect, the WASH SDG  programme invested in climate resilient and gender transformative interventions including ; climate smart solutions ( elevated latrines), rain water harvesting systems to collect and store water for use during drought, clean energy, gender transformation through trainings and community dialogues to facilitate shard workload by men and women.

On behalf of the Private sector, Nobert Oola,- senior Business Advisor at WASEU raised the concern around the critical role of the private sector. He emphasized that as much as the private sector is looked at as a solution provider, more still needs to be done to create the right enabling environment. ” As we make progress towards getting the different private sector  players to respond to the the call to improve the demand and supply value chains of critical products and services that aide adaptation and climate mitigation, alot of financing is still required to make this a reality ”,said Nobert.

He said as part of the WASH SDG Programme in Uganda ,the Uganda WASH Alliance partners have made concerted efforts to support WASHNUBS in establishment of woodlots to regreen areas most affected.

Ms. Matha Naigaga, stated the central roles of Government in WASH and its interaction with Climate change policies and strategies. ”We can not overlook the role of the private sector and that of government in achieving an  enabling environment for women and girls. ”After all is said and done ,concerns of the Girl’s rights needs to  come out clearly in policies and strategies. ” she also added that Climate Change policies and programs need to be  embedded in school education for better sustainability to nature the future generation.

Day One: A Confluence of Visionaries

The first day of the conference kicked off with an inspiring speech from the Danish Ambassador to Uganda H.E Signe Winding Alberg, setting the tone for an event focused on collaboration and innovation. The subsequent sessions delved into remarkable initiatives and models, providing insights into how innovative approaches are making a significant impact in urban and rural settings.

Mr Christopher Kanyango, a sanitation engineer at Water for People, shared their inclusive sanitation model, emphasizing the importance of understanding service gaps and market opportunities. Through practical idea testing, market assessments, and scaling efforts, Water for People has managed to produce faecal sludge briquettes and construct public sanitation facilities, benefiting thousands.

Mr. Robert Asiimwe, a representative from Action Aid International discussed access to clean water for domestic and productive use in the West Nile region of Uganda. Climate change, along with water contamination and poor quality, were identified as key challenges. Action Aid International’s achievements in the West Nile region include facilitating dialogues, supporting small farmers, and forming partnerships with various stakeholders to enhance access to clean water and proper sanitation. The sessions on day one concluded with thematic discussions and group representatives sharing key actionable insights.

Day Two: Empowering Emerging Businesses

The second day of the conference focused on emerging businesses in the WASH sector, offering them a platform to pitch their innovative ideas and share their accomplishments. These businesses are on the frontline of driving change and making a tangible difference in communities.

Mr. Richard Mutabazi, the representative for Kampala city council authority presented the role of the regulator in promoting climate resilience in urban sanitation systems. Other programme achievements stated in his presentation was the City wide inclusive sanitation programme.Ms. Irene Namusu from SIMAVI shared lesson from the implementation of the WASH SDG Programme, a 5 year Dutch funded project in Agago district, showcasing achievements and areas for future collaboration and strategic approaches. Project Maji, a non-profit enterprise, showcased its work in developing, deploying, and maintaining solar-powered water solutions in remote rural areas, improving access to safe water for thousands of people. The social enterprise charges nominal fees for water through digital payment systems and partners with local governments and institutional donors to make these initiatives sustainable. Technology for Tomorrow (T4T), founded in 2008, presented its mission to provide appropriate technology for households, promote menstrual hygiene, and improve waste management. T4T strives to break myths surrounding water provision and focus on creating value for communities. Waterworks Limited, a Ugandan water engineering company, highlighted its work in solar water pumping services. By harnessing solar power, they provide clean and cost-effective water solutions, benefiting thousands of refugees and students while reducing carbon emissions.

The thematic working groups was a co-creation session by different actors to brainstorm challenges and come up with actions that can be done to troubleshoot sector challenges.These discussions were conducted over two days, covering various challenges and opportunities in urban and rural water and sanitation. The participants outlined the problems, obstacles, and potential remedies related to access to clean water, sanitation infrastructure, and public awareness.

The discussions on urban water highlighted the challenges related to financing, climate-resilient infrastructure, low sewered sanitation coverage, polluted water sources, affordability, waste management, and more. To address these challenges, proposed solutions include government financing, de-risking investment, tax exemptions, privatization, and more. The rural water discussions covered issues such as financing, terrain conditions, affordability, sanitation infrastructure, access to clean water, and community sensitization. The solutions included innovative financing, sensitization campaigns, holistic water supply approaches, recycling, and guarantee funds for financial institutions.

The rural sanitation discussions pointed out challenges like difficult soil conditions, lack of access to clean water, poverty, limited financing, and cultural norms. To address these issues, the proposed solutions include behavior change campaigns, sensitization, gender-sensitive solutions, better coordination of waste management, and affordable sanitation infrastructure.

The conference also featured Business Connect, a global company in 80 countries that specializes in WASH activities, promoting products that improve water quality and access. The event concluded with all participants and organizations reaffirming their commitment to driving innovation in the WASH sector and creating lasting impact in communities.