𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 – 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗨𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗲

Background:

The global water crisis is intensifying, with many regions around the world facing severe challenges in accessing clean and reliable water sources. This issue is particularly acute in developing countries like Uganda, where population growth, climate change, and infrastructure deficiencies have exacerbated water scarcity and contamination problems.

In Uganda, an estimated 4 out of 10 people lack access to basic drinking water, the water crisis disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations, particularly in rural and marginalized areas. Addressing this crisis requires a multi-faceted approach that promotes sustainable water usage strategies and scalable solutions. To better understand the current situation and explore viable pathways forward, this interview seeks insights the expert – Jonathan Wesonga, WASH Technician | Water Mission, Uganda

Photo courtesy: Ministry of Water and Environment

What are the primary drivers behind the worsening water crisis in Uganda, and their impacts on the different regions and populations within the country?

Factors that are worsening the water crisis in Uganda include, but are not limited to:

• Climate change: Over the years, weather patterns in Uganda have been significantly changing, due to human activities such as swamp reclamation and deforestation for industrial development. Data from the World Bank climate knowledge portal website in June 2024 indicates that "From 1900 to 2018, the country has encountered 20 floods, 40 epidemics, 9 droughts, and 5 landslide events." These extreme weather patterns have led to the drying and flooding of regions and the destruction of established clean water systems, escalating the water crisis in Uganda.

• Increase in population; The population of Uganda is rapidly growing at a rate of 3.0%, according to data from the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS). This represents an increase from 34.6 million in the 2014 census to a projected 45.6 million in 2023. Additionally, the Uganda Water Accounts Report 2022, also from UBOS, shows an increase in water consumption from 23.99 to 30.9 litres per household per day from 2018 to 2021. The growing population emphasizes the need for proper planning to meet the increasing water demand and reduce pressure on water sources. The government has initiated programs such as UgIFT and Umbrella to improve access to clean water, but more collaboration with stakeholders such as NGOs and the private sector is necessary.

•  Inadequate water systems infrastructure: The 2014 National Population and Housing Census report of Uganda shows that the average household size is 4.7 persons. According to the 2018 Sphere Standards handbook, the WASH indicator suggests a minimum of 7.5 litres of water per person per day. Based on these figures, a household would need at least 35.25 litres of water per day. However, the Uganda Water Accounts Report of 2022 reveals that currently, households are only receiving 30.9 litres of water per day. This indicates that the existing water infrastructure is not adequate to meet the projected target demand, intensifying the Water Crisis in Uganda.

 

Can you highlight some of the most effective water conservation and efficiency strategies that have been implemented successfully at the household and community levels in Uganda?

                           

• Rainwater harvesting through surface tanks; This is one of the most cost-effective and efficient water conservation strategies implemented at household levels in Uganda, and includes a system of a roof, gutters, downpipes, and a water storage tank. The tank seats firmly on a foundation made of brick, concrete, or mounted on steel support members, all readily available in the Ugandan market. Rainwater flows from the inclined roofs into the storage tank for use without the need for any pumping.

• Rainwater harvesting through channels for irrigation; This is an ancient yet still effective water conservation technique used at the household level to capture surface runoff after heavy rainfall. When it rains heavily, water seeps into the soil until the soil pores are saturated. At this point, the excess water flows along the surface of the soil from higher-altitude regions to lower-altitude ones. Farmers then dig trenches to divert this water towards their fields for irrigating their crops. In addition, this runoff can be utilized for various activities, including brickmaking.

• Drip irrigation: Most people in Uganda depend on agriculture for their livelihood, accounting for 61% according to the UBOS Statistical Abstract report of 2022. This implies that farmers require water for irrigating crops, particularly during the dry season. Unlike other irrigation methods like sprinklers that spray water over the entire field, drip irrigation conserves water by applying it directly to the root zone at specific intervals using a dripping medium such as a water bottle or a pipe connected to a drip irrigation kit system.

What types of innovative technological solutions show the greatest promise for expanding access to clean, reliable water sources in Uganda, and what are the key barriers to scaling these initiatives?

There is an increasing adoption of modern irrigation technologies such as drip, drag hose, and sprinkler in Uganda today. This is a strategy by the government to improve the livelihood of the 61% of the population engaged in agriculture. These irrigation technologies rely on the availability of sustainable water sources such as hand-dug wells, drilled boreholes, constructed dams, or season-long surface sources like streams. Consequently, there is a growing demand for the development of sustainable water sources to provide clean water for both agricultural production and domestic use.

The excessive cost of installation for modern irrigation technologies has been a significant challenge, particularly due to government policies on taxation during the importation of parts and spares such as solar modules, irrigation pipes, and valves, which are manufactured outside Uganda. To address this issue, the government of Uganda has introduced incentives such as the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program Project for Uganda (UgIFT), which subsidizes farmers by sharing the cost of installing micro-irrigation systems. However, the selection criteria for beneficiaries have been a significant challenge, leading to installed sites becoming non-operational within a brief time.

Photo courtesy: Ministry of Water and Environment

How can public-private partnerships and collaborations between government, NGOs, and the private sector help to accelerate the deployment of sustainable water projects in Uganda?

 

• Coordination: This is essential for achieving harmonized decision-making among the relevant stakeholders, including the government, NGOs, and private sector service providers. For example, during the initial phase of a project, the government can provide crucial data on geographical gaps, population, gender distribution, and hydro-geological characteristics of different areas. This information is vital for the planning of sustainable water projects. Additionally, government entities at various levels, such as sub-counties, can identify target beneficiaries to ensure the success and acceptance of the project by end users.

• Cost sharing: This is an important aspect of sustainable water projects. The initial installation of these projects can be costly for end users. Therefore, stakeholders such as the government, private sector service providers, and NGOs need to develop strategies to share costs and reduce the financial burden on the end user. Programs like UgIFT, which involve cost-sharing between the government and the farmers, have been successful in assisting farmers to establish micro-irrigation systems in Uganda.

What policy and regulatory changes do you believe are needed to incentivize and support the widespread adoption of sustainable water management practices in Uganda?

•     Regulation of groundwater extraction: The Water Supply Design Manual Second Edition, 2013 published by the Uganda Ministry of Water and Environment, states that “Approximately 38% of the population with access to safe water supplies is served by deep boreholes. This is followed by protected springs (26%) and shallow wells (25%).” It is worth noting that groundwater serves as the primary source of water supply in Uganda. Therefore, it is essential to prioritize efforts to protect underground water from over-exploitation and contamination. Although there are existing policies on groundwater extraction, such as ensuring that groundwater sources are at least 20 meters away from potential unlined pit latrines and conducting pump testing to determine the safe yield from boreholes to protect the aquifer, adherence to these policies is lacking due to rapid population growth and urbanization.

• Rainwater harvesting: In 2021, the Zonal Agricultural Research and Development Institutes in Uganda recorded the following annual average rainfall days: Buginyanya with 130 days, Mukono with 123 days, Ngetta with 119 days, and Kachwekano with 118 days. Nabuin had the lowest number of rain days with an annual average of 67, followed by Abi with 90 days, according to the UBOS Statistical Abstract report of 2022. These figures indicate that even the region with the least rainfall still gets at least 90 days of rainfall in a year. This highlights the importance of implementing policies on rainwater harvesting, offering tax incentives on spares and parts, and advocating for the harnessing of rainwater to mitigate the water crisis. 

 Story By Patrick Seremba | Sources: Exclusive Interview