Download to Read More - UWASNET

1. Introduction
1.1 Background
The Annual Water Sector Performance Report, generated by the Ugandan Ministry of Water and Environment
(MWE) as a key component of the Sector Performance Monitoring Framework (SPMF), seeks to inform all
stakeholders of progress made to improve coverage and functionality of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
services in Uganda over the past year, as well as to inform discussions in the context of the Joint Sector Review in
October. This report serves as the contribution to the SPMF by Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and
Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) operating to increase access to WASH in Uganda. It further serves as a
publication in its own right, demonstrating not only NGO contribution to service delivery and promotion of rights
to water, but also their efforts to enhance accountability and transparency in the sector. As such, the data
provided in this report contributes to the ongoing efforts to improve information and communication which
ultimately serve to improve the efficiency and sustainability of WASH. The data provided in this report refers to the
Financial Year (FY) 2008/09, in accordance with The Government of Uganda’s financial cycle, from June to May.
1.2 Structure of the Report
The report is structured as follows:
Chapter 1 provides the background to the report, the methodology used to compile and analyse the data, and
provides information about the Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET);
Chapter 2 provides an overview of the water and sanitation sector, as well as a summary NGO investment in the
sector, in previous years and in the current Financial Year (FY);
Chapter 3 describes the ways in which NGOs have contributed towards achieving the sector’s Golden Indicators, in
both quantitative and qualitative terms;
Chapter 4 reflects on NGO performance under the Northern Uganda emergency response (WASH Cluster);
Chapter 5 reviews the status of implementation of the 2008 Joint Sector Review undertakings; and
Chapter 6 lists challenges, recommendations and proposed Joint Sector Review undertakings for 2009.
1.3 Methodology
In the preparation of this report, UWASNET Secretariat and members have sought to improve the quality of
reporting in a way which provides as complete a picture as feasible of Civil Society contribution to the sector. This
effort is born of the realisation that while NGOs require a certain degree of transparency and accountability from
government institutions, they are also bound by the same requirements in order to improve the performance of
the sector as a whole.
1.3.1 Data Collection process
Standard reporting formats which encompass quantitative and qualitative criteria were distributed to UWASNET
and WASH Cluster members since the start of 2009. The formats contain quantitative criteria related to WASH
service delivery and community management activities, as well as qualitative criteria on promotion of gender,
equity, hygiene and sanitation, appropriate technologies and community management. Members were also
requested to highlight best practices and lessons learnt, using the form of case studies. Once the questionnaires
were sent, follow-up was made by the Secretariat to ensure forms were submitted in time, and to discuss any
reporting discrepancies. In some regions of Uganda, the Secretariat through its regional coordinators was able to
organise regional workshop for data-sharing and discussion of methodology and findings. Such workshops were
conducted in Rwenzori and South Western regions (organised by Health through Water and Sanitation (HEWASA)
and Agency for Cooperation and Research in Development (ACORD) respectively).
1.3.2 Response
This year the Secretariat and the UWASNET regional coordinators have made substantial efforts to gather data
from members and improve the response rate. At the end of the process, 88 members out of a membership of 165
NGOs have submitted data, representing a response rate of 53.3% (compared with 62 out of 150 in the previous
report, representing a response rate of 41.3%). This is a significant improvement in response rate in both relative
and absolute terms, taking into consideration the growth in membership experienced this year. Nevertheless,
UWASNET members recognise that this rate is still less than satisfactory, and that efforts to achieve full reporting
should continue over the coming year.
9