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.

When the school was first equipped with a water tank and eco-san latrines, there were insufficient funds available to finance their maintenance. Recounts Mr. Vincent Twinabo, an alumnus of St. John Yerya Primary School. “We set up a social group comprising of more than 160 Alumni members, with some living life in the diaspora, and through this group, St John Yerya primary school hierarchy is asked to always alert the group through the Alumni elected group leaders of any financial challenge facing the school or a WASH facility at the school that would be in need of some financial input regarding maintenance or implementation so that we can brainstorm, pool funds and see how to eliminate the problem with some cash contributions from group members”.

Thanks to the hard work of our alumni group and the support of our local leaders and parents, we were able to fundraise and generate the necessary funds to maintain our WASH facilities. As a result, our pupils have seen a significant improvement in their school attendance and grades, and our community as a whole has benefited from improved hygiene.

As Mr. Moses Rugumba, a program officer  of at CARITAS HEWASA , noted, “At one PTA meeting, parents agreed to contribute up to UGX 3,000 per pupil on a termly basis toward the maintenance cost of WASH facilities at their children’s schools as they had seen some of the positives in this like increased numbers in school attendance that led to good grades by their children in the long run, and also improved hygiene at school, a phenomenal that extended to their homes in the process, to mention but a few.” We are so grateful for the support of our alumni group and the wider community in making this possible.

According to Mr. Oryema Charles, the district water officer in charge of mobilization, the project has had a significant impact on the community, improving health and sanitation, increasing access to education for children and providing more economic opportunities for women. Many of the women in the village used to spend hours each day walking to collect water from distant sources, but now they are able to access clean water right in their own village, which is a great relief.

The WASEU’s Private sector approach has been praised by the community, with many residents noting the positive changes that have taken place since the project began. The community is more united and people are healthier, which is a direct result of having access to clean water.

Residents of the crowded slum area of Kampala’s Nsambya have a lot to be thankful for, thanks to the efforts of the local NGO, “Water for people.” In partnership with the community, the organization has implemented a community-led sanitation project that has brought much-needed relief to the area. The project provided access to toilets, hand washing stations, and hygiene education, and the results have been nothing short of remarkable.

According to residents, instances of waterborne illnesses have dropped significantly since the project was implemented. “Before we had to rely on dirty public toilets and we were always getting sick,” said Mary, a mother of three who lives in the slum. “Now, we have clean toilets and hand washing stations right in our community, and our health has improved dramatically.”
The community-led approach of the project has also empowered local residents to take ownership of their own sanitation and hygiene. “We were involved in every step of the process,” said John, a community leader. “We helped to design the toilets, we helped to build them, and now we’re responsible for maintaining them. It’s made us feel like we can make a real difference in our own lives.”

The project has also had a positive impact on the economic opportunities for women, as they now have access to clean and safe sanitation facilities, which has increased their mobility and ability to engage in economic activities.
“We are proud of the impact this project has had on the community,” said Brenda, the country lead of Water for people. “But our work is not done. We will continue to work with the community to ensure that they have access to clean and safe water and sanitation and that they are empowered to take ownership of their own health and well-being.”

A new report from Amref Uganda, an international NGO, has revealed the positive impact of their WASH program in the post-conflict-affected region of northern Uganda. The program, which focuses on providing access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities in schools and health clinics, has seen a significant reduction in absenteeism and an increase in enrollment in schools. Additionally, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of people seeking healthcare in the region since the program was implemented.

“Before the program, many of the schools and health clinics in the region did not have access to clean water or adequate sanitation facilities,” said John, a community leader in the region. “This resulted in high absenteeism rates and poor health outcomes for the community.”

However, thanks to the work of Amref Uganda, that has now changed. “Since the program was implemented, we have seen a significant improvement in the health and well-being of the community,” John continued. “Attendance in schools has increased, and there has been a noticeable decrease in the number of waterborne illnesses in the region.”
The program has also had a positive impact on the local economy. “Since the program was implemented, we have seen an increase in economic opportunities for women and children in the community,” said Jane, a local businesswoman. “With access to clean water and improved sanitation facilities, we have been able to start new small businesses and expand existing ones, which has had a positive impact on the local economy.”

According to Amref Uganda, their WASH program has directly benefited over 10,000 people in the region. “We are thrilled to see the positive impact our program has had on the community,” said Mukasa Hajra, Programs Manager-WASH. “We believe that access to clean water and improved sanitation is a basic human right, and we are committed to continuing our work in the region to improve the lives of the people living there.”

The statistics from the program also show a remarkable achievement in the area, with absenteeism in schools reducing by 25% and enrollment increasing by 15%, and a remarkable reduction in diarrhea cases by 80%.

Olga and Abudalla, two of the youth water ambassadors, at St. Johns Yerya Primary School have been instrumental in the program’s success. Olga shares her experience, “Before the program, our school did not have proper sanitation facilities and access to clean water. We would often get sick and miss school. But now, thanks to the WASH and Learn program, we have proper toilets and clean water, and our health has improved.”

Abudalla adds, “I never realized how important clean water and sanitation were until I became a Water Ambassador. Now, I make sure to educate my family and community about the importance of these issues and how to maintain cleanliness.”
The impact of the program is evident in the statistics. The school’s absenteeism rate has significantly decreased, and enrollment has increased since the program’s implementation. The community’s overall health has also improved, with a decrease in waterborne illnesses.

Caritas HEWASA’s WASH and Learn program is not only making a difference in the community of Buyangabu District but also empowering young people to become agents of change in their communities. The organization’s Project officer, Ms, Monica Mucunguzi, states “We are proud of the impact our program is making in the community, and we are committed to continuing to work with young people to advocate for improved access to clean water and sanitation in Uganda.”

Residents of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, are reaping the benefits of a concerted effort to conserve and protect the city’s water resources. The Kampala Water and Sewerage Company (KWSC) has been working with local organizations and NGOs, including WaterAid and the African Development Bank, to improve access to clean water and sanitation in the city
One of the key initiatives has been the construction of new water wells and boreholes in areas that previously had limited access to clean water. This has not only improved the health and wellbeing of local residents but also helped to boost the local economy as people no longer have to travel long distances to access water.

In addition to the construction of new water sources, KWSC has also been working to improve the efficiency of the existing water distribution network. This has included the repair and upgrading of pipes and the installation of new meters to ensure that residents are only charged for the water they use.
The efforts of KWSC and its partners have also been focused on raising awareness about the importance of water conservation. This has included working with schools and community groups to educate people about the need to use water wisely and to prevent pollution of the city’s water sources.

The results of these efforts have been impressive. Over the past year, the city has seen a significant reduction in the number of water-borne diseases and a notable increase in the number of households with access to clean water.
“We are extremely proud of the progress that has been made in Kampala in recent years,” said KWSC Managing Director, William Ssali. “But we know there is still much more to be done and we will continue to work with our partners to improve access to clean water and sanitation for all residents of the city.’’
Residents of Kampala are grateful for the efforts made by KWSC and its partners to improve their access to clean water, as it has greatly improved their health and livelihoods. With continued work and support, the city can look forward to an even brighter future for its water resources.

At this point, most families resort to using the nearby bushes for defecation. Here, faecal matter is washed downstream, along with the mud from the roads which are not accessible because of the aluka.The same stream is shared by both animals and humans. The mud and faecal matter from the dirty roads are washed downstream which is later ‘enjoyed’ by the community and livestock

This open defecation also usually attracts house flies which contaminate food and fruits. This has led to high prevalence of water-borne diseases among children under 5 and elders in the area. This has put the health and lives of the community at risk.

With ‘aluka’ emerging everywhere, pit latrines fill up and others collapse. This is a problem affecting many people, but the situation of affected families are looked at in isolation from each other. The entire community do not clearly understand that it will indirectly affect all of them, due to the waste washing downstream and contaminating the water.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the WASH Alliance, through their WASH SDG Programme, is stepping in to provide a solution. The organization is promoting the construction of drainable latrines in the area, similar to those implemented in schools in other regions. These latrines feature a substructure that can withstand flooding and provide a strong foundation for the superstructure. By implementing these drainable latrines, the health and lives of the community can be safeguarded against the ever-worsening rainy seasons in the years to come.