Government’s WASH Programme on Track, Says Nabbanja

Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has affirmed that the government’s efforts to extend water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services to more areas across Uganda are progressing well. Speaking at a WASH dialogue held at Parliament, Nabbanja reiterated the government's commitment to improving access to WASH services, aiming to reduce the distance to safe water sources to less than one kilometre in rural areas and half a kilometre in urban areas.

The Prime Minister also called on religious, cultural, and local leaders to promote daily handwashing practices to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. “This is a vital practice that must become part of our culture,” she urged.

Eng. Dr Joseph Oriono Eyatu, Commissioner for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation in the Ministry of Water and Environment, emphasised the importance of equitable access to WASH services, stating that inadequate services disproportionately affect rural communities. "Millions of children die prematurely from WASH-related illnesses. Rural populations bear this burden, with costs reaching Shs4.3 billion, double the amount for urban areas," Eyatu said.

He further highlighted the economic impact, revealing that time lost due to WASH-related challenges in rural areas costs Uganda Shs210 billion annually, compared to half that in urban areas.

Dr Henry Mwebesa, Director General of Health Services in the Ministry of Health, noted that 75 per cent of Uganda’s disease burden is preventable, with WASH being critical in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. “Infectious diseases account for about 30 per cent of our health sector challenges,” Mwebesa added.

Abim District Woman MP, Janet Okori-Moe, and Buyende District Woman Representative, Mary Annet Nakato, both called for more water sources, with Okori-Moe pointing out that water shortages delay teachers' arrival at school, affecting education. Nakato revealed that water scarcity in Buyende has even contributed to domestic violence due to the long waits at broken boreholes.

The dialogue, convened under the theme "Building Resilient Communities; Prioritising Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Financing and Investment", brought together representatives from UNICEF, UNHCR, and civil society organisations to discuss the urgent need for increased WASH funding and investment.