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6. Challenges, Recommendations and Proposed undertakings for the 2009 JSR
6.1 Challenges and recommendations
6.1.1 Gender Mainstreaming
The traditional role of women as carers, entrusted with domestic activities, has made them a prime target for
WASH-related training and sensitisation. However, the focus on women can increase, rather than ease, the burden
already placed on their shoulders. CARE International identifies several factors affecting the equitable access of
women to water and sanitation, including inequitable access to land rights and water for productive use; inequity
in decision making (at various levels), limited time due to domestic chores and caring for the family and
suppression by men. At the same time, men may have little time or interest for becoming involved in the daily
problems of accessing water, and are often less likely to participate in community work. While the majority
presence of women in sensitisation meetings and community health clubs, noted by several NGOs, is an indicator
of women’s mobilisation and involvement in development efforts, gender imbalances in daily WASH activities such
as water-fetching and cleaning will not be addressed without complementary efforts to increase men’s
participation in these initiatives, and continued sensitisation of both men and women on all aspects of WASH.
6.1.2 Functionality of Water User Committees
The formation of WUCs for each communal water supply facility provided is a requirement stipulated under MWE
requirements. According to MWE guidelines as specified in the 2008 SPR 4 , for a committee to be considered
functional it must meet the following criteria: a) the committee meets regularly; b) the committee collects
operational and maintenance funds; and c) the committee has undertaken servicing and/or minor repairs.
It is inarguable that communal water sources should be supported by community management structures for
them to remain functional; however, the challenges of keeping WUCs functional once they have been formed and
trained are substantial, and many have become dysfunctional or non-functional. The roles and responsibilities of
WUCs, although clearly set out under official guidelines, are often unclear to their members (including collection
and management of user fees, O&M responsibilities, their authority as compared to other institutions such as LCs
and other community-management institutions, political influence and interference, etc). This is compounded in
cases where experienced WUC members have left, to be replaced by untrained or inexperienced members. NGOs
should endeavour to create and support community management structures relevant to community context.
Emphasis should be placed on long-term sustainability aspects, for example by way of refresher training,
accompanied by continuous assessment of WUC functionality in accordance with sector guidelines.
6.1.3 Coordination and cooperation at local levels
NGOs increasingly recognise the need to share information and improve coordination in their various levels of
operation -a) between NGOs and government actors at central and local levels (e.g. District Water Offices);
b) among NGOs – at central and local level, and between humanitarian and development NGP interventions; and
c) among UWASNET regions – in order to avoid duplication and increase efficiency and effectiveness of
interventions. This, however, is not an easy task. Lack of communication is hindered by, inter alia, distance, lack of
communication (transport, phones and computers), disagreements or conflicts of interest, and protective
approach over one’s organisational budget. One important field in which cooperation between NGOs and district
authorities has a potential for positive impact is the improvement to district Management Information Systems,
using methods such as water point mapping. Several NGOs are fast developing the necessary expertise and can
assist DWOs (and each other) to maintain current and accurate data on coverage and functionality, which will also
be used to improve planning and budgeting processes. NGOs should also make good use of the seat allocated to
the at various coordination bodies, such as planning and budgeting committees, and District Water and Sanitation
Coordination Committees.
6.1.4 Hygiene and Sanitation
While much progress has been made on the issue of sanitation in terms of policy and budgeting provision (the
Memorandum of Understanding between MWE, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health on sanitation, and
the new sanitation budget line respectively), much still needs to be done for these measures to translate into real
achievements in access to sanitation. More specifically, collaboration with health and education authorities is
4 Uganda Ministry of Water and Environment: Water and Sanitation Sector Performance Report 2008, p102, Section 14.2.1
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