Despite numerous interventions aimed at addressing the water access gap, Ugandans continue to express dissatisfaction with the limited availability of clean water sources.
According to a recent report from Twaweza’s Sauti Za Wanainchi, 6 out of 10 citizens (63%) across Uganda perceive access to water as a significant issue in their communities, with 4 out of 10 (39%) identifying it as the most serious problem.
Violet Alinda, the Country Lead for Uganda at Twaweza, emphasized that access to clean water is closely tied to geographical location and economic status.
The report highlights a policy dilemma, forcing a choice between prioritizing public investment to enhance services for the poorest and underserved, which often offers better value for quantity, or expanding costlier water pipe networks to reach more middle-class households. For the majority of Ugandans, the preference is clear.
A research brief titled “Turning on the taps? Ugandans’ experiences and opinions on water, sanitation, and hygiene” revealed significant disparities in views on water access.
Rural areas (45%), poorer households (53%), and those with no education (47%) are more likely to view access to water as a serious problem.
The findings, based on data collected from 2,809 respondents in August and September 2023, underscore inequalities in accessing safe water from improved sources.
Nationally, 2 out of 10 households (20%) rely on unimproved or unsafe sources, with variations in specific regions. For instance, 40% in the Western Region access water from unimproved sources, while 29% in the Central Region use such sources.
Piped water access further amplifies regional and demographic divides: rural (11%), urban (46%), poorer households (5%), wealthier households (41%), Greater Kampala (70%), Central (17%), Western (27%), Northern (6%), Eastern (9%).
The Western Region stands out for having the highest proportion of households using both unimproved and piped sources, excluding Greater Kampala.
Despite stark inequalities, there is positive news on the overall access to clean water. Nationally, the proportion of households accessing drinking water from improved sources has risen from 74% in 2018 to 80% in 2023, possibly attributed to donor support totaling $9 million over the last five years.
The Ministry of Health’s vision for water supply and sanitation has seen some progress, especially in rural areas, with access ranging from 69% to 77%.
However, challenges persist, and the Sauti report indicates signs of stagnation in piped water access over the past five years.
Regarding water treatment, 61% of Ugandans report treating their water before consumption, a decline from 70% in the last five years. Urban, wealthy, and Greater Kampala residents are more likely to treat their water, with those accessing piped sources having the highest treatment rates (75%).
The major challenges to water access include distance to water points (44%) and an insufficient number of water points (43%). Urban areas face cost-related issues (36%), while rural areas often deal with dirty water (28%).
In terms of sanitation, half of households (51%) use pit latrines without slabs, and 5% lack any facility. Flush toilets are rare (2%), dominated by Greater Kampala (15%).
Lower-quality facilities are more common in rural areas, among poorer households, and in eastern, northern, and western regions. Only 24% of households have a functional handwashing facility close to the toilet/latrine, with wealthier households (39%) and urban areas (39%), especially Greater Kampala (56%), having higher rates.