World Water Day

Demonstration of ECOSAN technology during the World Water Day celebrations in Kampala 2006.

Credit: WaterAid Uganda

World Water Day is another important day on the water and sanitation sector's calendar; it takes place on the 22nd March of every year. In Uganda, national celebrations were organised in conjunction with three other related days, World Metrological Day and World Forestry Day. The theme for the day was Water and Culture.

The national celebrations took place in Sembabule a district where water is in short supply and the problem is compounded by cultural issues. The celebrations took place at the Sembabule District Water office and were presided over by Hon. Kahinda Otafiire, The Minister for Water, Lands and Environment.

Events on the day included a site tour of a £2 billion water project for Sembabule and exhibitions by NGOs working in water and sanitation. The chief guest called upon people to stop bush burning, graze their livestock responsibly, plant more trees and make use of rain water harvesting to mitigate disaster.

The ceremony also witnessed the launch of the NETWAS resource center. NETWAS is WaterAid's knowledge management water and sanitation sector partner in Uganda.