In Uganda, our priority is understanding and strengthening WASH systems at national and district levels. We are committed to helping our partner district, Kabarole, to achieve universal access by 2030.
Access to WASH services: basic and safely managed water 39% | basic sanitation 19% (open defecation 6%) | basic hygiene 8% (source, JMP)
Our team of 10 is led by Jane Nabunnya Mulumba and are based in offices in Kampala and Fort Portal - capital of our partner district, Kabarole. In Fort Portal we're acting as hub to an alliance of partners committed to building strong WASH systems to deliver WASH services that last to everyone. At the national level, we're sharing the lessons learned and advocating for increased government and political leadership, public finance and the proper management and use of WASH services as part of the Uganda WASH Agenda for Change coalition.
Despite being considered one of the most developed sectors in sub Saharan Africa, Uganda's WASH coverage and quality of service delivery has stagnated over the last 10 years. Over 10 million Ugandans still live without safe water; 65% are not practising improved hygiene behaviour; and 8% of the total population practice open defecation. Long a model for aid effectiveness through a sector wide approach, several long-term donors are withdrawing or switching back to project based aid. IRC in Uganda is focused on supporting our partner district, Kabarole, to achieve universal access by 2030. In addition, we are working to promote national and district political and financial commitment to WASH and contributing to the national WASH knowledge base through our WASH Agenda for Change coalition.
WASH master plans are a milestone in a process of district level collective action. Kabarole district local government launched its 2030 WASH master plan in February 2019.
IRC has developed guidelines for national and local government on how partners at district levels can work together to achieve full functionality in a district.
WASH is about systems. But does the systems approach work? How? And is it worth the effort? How can we accelerate adoption of the systems approach? In this video the effectiveness of systems approach is discussed and showing how IRC in Uganda is working with different actors to improve WASH service delivery.
Length: 7mins
A short documentary depicting some of the key issues surrounding WASH/IWRM Integration. It is set in Rwenzori Region, Western Uganda.
Length: 13mins.
In Uganda, IRC is supporting local and national government to ensure that people get better water, sanitation and hygiene services. We believe that government needs to be empowered to create systems that make these services sustainable. We are working with WaterAid and Water For People in an alliance called WASH Agenda for Change to make this happen.
Length: 3mins.
In the Ugandan district of Kabarole, IRC is working to support local government create sustainable water and sanitation services and assisting to sustain them.
Length: 4mins 35sec.
