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3.3 Functionality
Golden Indicator definition:
In rural areas: % of improved water sources that are functional at time of spot check (rural).
In urban areas: the ratio of the actual hours of water supply from the system to the required hours of supply
from the system to the required hours of supply.
3.3.1 Ownership
The functionality of water sources is greatly affected by the sense of ownership felt by users towards their water
sources. Many NGOs experience the frustrating fact that once a water source has been constructed by a specific
institution, community members often view that institution as responsible for the operation and maintenance of
that facility. This can lead to lack of sustainability of facilities and waste of precious financial resources, and can
also affect trust relationships and communication between providers and beneficiaries. NGOs have addressed this
issue by tailoring facilities to community needs and demands raised through participatory consultation, and by
involving beneficiaries in the planning and construction of facilities. Such participatory approaches, including
sensitisation meetings, promotional materials and the use of drama and sports activities have been demonstrated
successfully by Arbeiter Samariter Bund (ASB - Soroti, Amuria, Bukedea and Katakwi), African Evangelistic
Enterprise (AEE - Kampala), Community Development Action (CDA - Mityana), Healthy Environment For All (HEFA -
Kampala), Hope For Youth (HFYU - Mukono), Integrated Family Development Initiatives (IFDI - Dokolo), Joint Effort
to Save the Environment (JESE - Kamwenge, Kyenjoj, Kabarole), Katosi Women Development Trust (KWDT -
Mukono), Rural Community Strategy for Development (RUCOSDE - Rakai) and Welthungerhilfe (Lira).
3.3.2 Governance and accountability
The quality of governance and the level of accountability of local authorities with regards their constituencies, also
has a bearing on the functionality of water facilities. Kumi Human Rights Initiative (KHRI), for instance, noted that
interference by district-level politicians and technocrats in Teso in the contracting process of water facilities, as
well as the withholding of contract information from beneficiaries, allows contractors to take advantage of the
community and enables conflicts of interests in the procurement process. The failure to make contractual
documents available to communities hinders their ability to hold contractors and authorities to account and
affects the effectiveness of community-based maintenance. International Water and Sanitation Centre (IRC) in
partnership with Network for Water and Sanitation Uganda (NETWAS) and Community Empowerment for Rural
Development (CEFORD) has been working to improve governance, transparency and accountability in WASH
through sub-county and district dialogues, in which visioning exercises on water and sanitation issues were
conducted in 6 sub counties in 3 districts (Moyo, Adjumani and Nebbi). The processes resulted in the development
of sub county action plans and commitments towards improving governance, accountability and transparency in
WASH. NETWAS has also been operating to improve governance and accountability in the water sector in
Wobulenzi Town Council; further details are provided in Section 5.2.
3.3.3 Skilled professionals training
Even under the most favourable conditions, water supply facilities may break down and require repair.
Breakdowns can be kept to a minimum using skilled regular maintenance. However, such skilled human resources,
as well as the equipment they need to perform their roles are in often short supply. NGOs (such as Agency for
Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD), Community Development Action (CDA), Conservation Effort
for Community Development (CECOD), Divine Waters Uganda (DWU), Foundation for Rural Development (FORUD),
International Rescue Committee (IRC), Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV) and Welthungerhilfe) have
invested resources to address this gap; a total of 441 (303 male and 138 female) hand-pump mechanics have been
trained, 141 of whom were equipped with tools; a further 169 (132 male and 37 female) masons and builders have
been trained in water tank and latrine construction; and at least 321 communities were supplied with spare parts.
In Masaka and Rakai, Uganda Rainwater Association (URWA) trained 36 apprentices, of which 32 have been
assisted to start their own rain jar business. The masons have been able to work with orphan apprentices. 42 rural
enterprises based on jar manufacturing have been successfully established and are active. 4 local carpenters have
been trained in the production of wooden mould sets, as well as one welder. Kigezi Diocese in partnership with
URWA established a Rain Centre in Kabale to equip people with life skills in construction and management of
rainwater harvesting systems in 8 districts (Kabale, Ntungamo, Rukungiri, Isingiro, Kisoro, Kanungu, Kiruhura, and
Bushenyi). Such knowledge transfer allows for replication of technology, sustainability of facilities, and income
generation for those trained and those who provide them with supplies and materials.
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