15,000 urban poor in Bwaise informal settlements to access affordable safe water and sanitation services

 

Children collecting water from a pre-paid water meter. With the meters, the urban poor are able to get water at the recommended price charged by the utility company.

Credit: WaterAid in Uganda

15 August 2011

Water and sanitation for the urban poor project launched in Kampala slums

On Wednesday August 10, 2011, the Bwaise Water and Sanitation Urban Poor Project, a joint initiative between WaterAid in Uganda, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) and Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP), was launched.

This is an 18 month initiative worth UGX 1.3 billion (USD $530,000), aimed at increasing access to affordable safe water services for 15,000 urban poor in the Bwaise informal settlement in Kampala city.

John Kantonso, a local leader, said: “The sanitation and hygiene condition on the island has not been good, but ever since WaterAid started supporting the project, the situation is gradually changing for the better.

This project will benefit residents through the installation of 200 pre-paid water meters. These meters will reduce the cost of water five-fold, from
the UGX 100 usually paid for 20L at public stand pipes, to UGX 20. In addition, this program will provide community education on proper solid waste management and advocacy towards service improvements.

Kampala's urban poor

Many of Kampala’s informal settlements are characterized by unplanned dwellings located mainly in low lying marshy areas, with minimal access to public services.

Bwaise II parish in Kawempe division is one such settlement, regularly experiencing water and sanitation related challenges including flooding, poor waste management
practices and low access to affordable safe water supplies.

Top: Due to high costs charged by standard pipe owners, the majority of the urban poor resort to using unsafe water from natural springs Bottom: Members of the community-based advocacy teams at work

Credit: WaterAid in Uganda

This project will bring together WSUP, local organizations, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), and the community of Bwaise II to address these challenges, thereby improve the health conditions of the residents, reduce flooding and above all empower communities to become leaders in their own development.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to leverage strong partnerships and continue improving water service for the people of Kampala”, says Eng. John Bosco Otema, manager of the Urban Pro Poor Unit NWSC.

“As we have seen from other parishes, by bringing the benefits of pre-paid meters, we can positively impact the lives of over 15,000 people,” he added.

The NWSC will develop a water network and install pre-paid meters while Community Integrated Development Initiatives (CIDI) local WaterAid in Uganda partner NGO will oversee community mobilisation, sensitisation and strengthening of the local Water
User Committees to ensure that the installed water facilities are sustainable.

Eng. John Bosco Otema, manager of the Urban Pro Poor Unit NWSC, demonstrating how pre-paid water meters operate.

Credit: WaterAid in Uganda

In addition, CIDI is to sensitise the beneficiary community on proper soild waste management, through awareness campaigns, enhance the capacity of Community Based Advocacy Groups to monitor development projects in the area and improve avenues of communication between citizens and service providers to ensure cooperation towards improved and sustainable service delivery.

In light of the above, Joseph Ssemmanda, Senior Program Coordinator Urban and Small
Towns, WaterAid in Uganda says, “access to clean water and improved sanitation among the urban poor communities shouldn’t be a luxury; it is a human right that must be upheld.”

For more information, please contact WaterAid in Uganda.