Kampala water supply doubles

Difficult choices

Meanwhile, although NWSC appears to be getting on top of the water supply problem for Greater Kampala, Mugisha must still grapple with the issue of cost of water.

A study published in 2018 by Twaweza East Africa under the Sauti za Wananchi or “Citizen Voices” programme seeking to gauge Ugandans’ experiences and opinions on affordable access to clean and safe water found that in both rural and urban areas, many people are forced to make difficult choices around water, including its cost, time and convenience in collecting it against health and hygiene.

At the time, four out of ten citizens or 40% of Ugandans said their access to clean and safe water had worsened over the previous 12 months, compared to three out of 10 who said it had improved.

The survey found that Ugandans in urban areas (86%) are more likely to use improved water sources than those in rural areas (69%) as are richer Ugandans (84%) compared to poorer ones (71%).

According to the study, in the urban areas, although there is access to piped water, many households cannot afford this water and there is also an issue of irregular supply.

The survey further noted that in urban areas, the average time required by households to collect water lasted about 49 minutes of which 23 minutes are spent waiting. Only two out of ten urban households (20%) need less than five minutes to collect water.

Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, the Uganda Country Lead of Twaweza and Regional Manager, Uwezo East Africa, noted at the time that the slower rate of growth in access to improved water in urban areas presents challenges for the future with population growth and increased rural to urban migration.

Nakabugo said the government would need to double its effort in both rural and urban Uganda to ensure that the hard-won gains of the last 30 years are not eroded.  But with the ever growing population of Kampala city which also serves as Uganda’s commercial and industrial hub, it remains to be seen whether this will remain the case.

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