Uganda
New Briefing Note: Hand Pump Mechanics Associations for Improved Functionality of Rural Water Sources
09 Nov 12
To support the Functionality Thematic Group under the Rural Water Department, IRC/Triple-S together with SNV conducted an action research on the process of rolling out and operationalising Hand Pump Mechanics Associations (HPMAs). This briefing note analyses the key issues, generates lessons and makes recommendations for effectively rolling out HPMAs.
Proposal to apply the life-cycle cost approach in Uganda
09 Nov 12
As a first step to introduce the life-cycle cost approach in Uganda, the Fontes Foundation Uganda with support from IRC, analysed how the Uganda rural WASH sector is financed. The new proposal for implementing the life-cycle costs approach, highlights the current and complex financing system of the WASH sector in Uganda. The document indicates that a number of tools for improving planning and budgeting are in place, but these are not always used to their full capacity—applying the life-cycle costs approach can help resolve financing issues linked to WASH service delivery.
New cartoons: Water User Committees are crucial for source operation and maintenance
09 Nov 12
The Water User Committee (WUC) is the executive organ of the water user group. Elected by water users, the WUC is mandated to manage the source on behalf of the community. Inactive or non-functional committees can result into source break down or even complete abandonment.
New cartoons: The pain of using unsafe water sources
09 Nov 12
When some people in rural areas get diseases, they immediately blame witches and wizards. To them, the relationship between unsafe water and poor health is not always obvious.
New cartoons: Who is responsible for source maintenance?
09 Nov 12
The commissioning of a new water source comes with fanfare and jubilation. But many water users do not realise that it also marks the beginning of responsibilities relating to operation and maintenance.
Bylaws are crucial for water source management
05 Jul 12
Though not listed among the critical requirements for sustainable management of water facilities, bylaws are crucial to ensure good use and maintenance of sources. Communities through their Water User Committees often institute bylaws but enforcement is usually an uphill task. In the recent Northern Region Learning Forum organised by Triple-S Uganda, participants visited a community in Amuca Sub County in Lira district which has successfully enforced water source bylaws for two years. What has been their experience?
Lira DWSCC sets new targets for access to and functionality of WASH services
05 Jul 12
In October 2010, Triple-S Uganda spearheaded the process of reviving the WASH coordination in Lira district. Since then the District Water and Sanitation Coordination Committee (DWSCC) has held quarterly meetings, the latest being in May 2012 where key resolutions were passed, aimed at enhancing coordination of actors as well as functionality and sustainability of WASH services.
Strength in numbers: Lessons from the Lira District Hand Pump Mechanics Association
05 Jul 12
When the Ministry of Water and Environment in Uganda undertook to promote the formation of Hand Pump Mechanics Associations (HPMAs) as a way of enhancing functionality of rural water services, many districts started supporting the formation and operationalisation of the associations. With support from Triple-S Uganda and other partners, the Lira district HPMA was started and is now fully operational. The process has been dotted with interesting issues and lessons.
"There is no silver bullet to learning" - A learning facilitator shares views on the learning approach
05 Jul 12
Learning has over the past few years taken centre stage in the Ugandan WASH sector. Different actors are working in partnership to establish learning platforms or learning alliances to assess challenges, find solutions, share lessons and scale up good practices. Learning events at national and district level now feature prominently on the WASH calendar. But the actors also contend that sometimes it is necessary to reflect and learn about the learning approach. In this interview, Solomon Kyeyune, a renowned learning facilitator in the Ugandan WASH sector shares his thoughts on the learning approach.
Hand Pump Mechanics Associations: Actualising the dream
05 Jun 12
The Uganda Ministry of Water and Environment started to strengthen the community based operation
