Self Supply in Uganda

Despite the continuing investments into construction and rehabilitation of community water points, between 10 and 20 percent of these facilities may be out of service at any given time, generally due to the problem of hand pump breakdown. Problems of affordability, availability of spare parts, and communal management (reflecting the lack of ownership felt by a community) are often the main culprits, especially among poorer and more remote communities. Yet strategies to reach the MDG tend to assume that all existing supplies are sustainable and continue to function, which is not the case.

Every year, thousands of rural householders and small groups invest in traditionally dug wells and scoop holes to provide convenient water supplies which they manage and maintain themselves. Many rural people value these water sources for their convenience, taste, productive use and, most importantly, the sense of ownership and control bestowed. However, policymakers tend to regard them as a liability to be replaced rather than improved or augmented, and rural water supply strategies continue to concentrate on communal supplies for groups of 200 to 500 people.

In Uganda the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE) has been exploring options for greater investments in water supply by users themselves (self-supply) to supplement government efforts in water provision.

Definition of Self- Supply

Self-supply is the improvement to household or community water supply through user investment in water treatment, supply, construction and upgrading, and rainwater harvesting. It is based on incremental improvements in steps which are easily replicable, with technologies affordable to users. This self-help approach is complementary to conventional communal supply, which is generally Government funded and which forms the backbone of rural water supply. However the latter is not equally sustainable everywhere, and is inadequately funded to reach MDG target coverage in sub-Saharan Africa. Self-supply at household or community level generally implies strong ownership but also a sharing of the supply with those households nearby, often at no charge, offering effectively a privately managed communal service. All of the ‘unserved’ population use self-supply, as do an unknown proportion of those regarded as served.

In 2005, MWE became aware of self-supply initiatives in other countries including Zambia. In bid to start self-supply initiative, the Uganda Government, conducted a scoping study on the potential of self-supply in 12 districts in 2006. This gave way to a pilot project between 2006 to 2008. The study and pilot project confirmed the existence and potential of self-supply in the provision of water supply in Uganda.

The Uganda Government has now embarked on the process of developing a comprehensive framework for self-supply with a goal of integrating the concept in sector operations. This however calls for wide consultations especially with countries that are promoting the approach in the mainstream government structures.

If you would like more information about Self Supply Initiatives in Uganda please contact Aaron Kabirizi (aaron.kabirizi@mwe.go.ug ) or Joel Kiwanuka (joel.kiwanuka@mwe.go.ug ).

Field Notes

2005

Investigating Options for Self-help Water

This field note outlines the findings of an investigation into experiences of self-help water supply improvements in Uganda. It makes recommendations on how water supply professionals can best engage with communities to achieve sustainable supplies, briefly describing a recently-started pilot project supporting self-supply.

Click here to download (English version)

Click here to download (French version).

Reports

Kabirizi, Arebahona, 1. Sentumbwe, Kiwanuka, Seruwo and Bwengye (2010) Report on the Ministry of Water and Environment and UNICEF officials’ study tour to Zambia, Self-Supply Initiatives
Mpalanyi (2008) Self Supply Pilot Water Source History - Profiles and Achievements
Carter, R, Mpalanyi, JM, Ssebalu J (2005) Self-help Initiatives to improve Water Supplies in Eastern and Central Uganda, with an emphasis on shallow groundwater. A Case Study for RWSN, Final Report, RWSN/WaterAid/WSP
Carter, Mpalanyi and Kiwanuka (2008) The Uganda Self Supply Pilot Project 2006 - 2008
Danert and Motts (2009) Uganda Water Sector and Domestic Rainwater Harvesting Sub-sector Analysis

Conference Papers

Kiwanuka J. (2009) Achievements and Lessons Learned from Uganda Self-Supply Pilot Project, Paper Presented at the 34th WEDC International Conference, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 2009

MSc Theses

A number of MSc theses have focused on the Uganda pilot project as follows:

Alford, D (2007) The impact of self supply in Amuria District, Uganda

This thesis examines the impact at one of the pilot sites in Uganda. Using a combination of water quality sampling and semi-structured interviews with water-users, research was conducted in Wera, Amuria District.

Fougue (2007) Analysis of ways to improve water supplies for sedentary cattle-owning communities in Bundibugyo, Uganda

The study aimed to assess the extent of the water challenge for both domestic and animal consumption. Its objectives were to: (1) understand the attitudes of those pastoralist communities towards water, (2) critique the declared Government and NGOs policies in the light of the realities and needs identified, and (3) appraise the potential for the development of self-supply. These objectives were achieved through semi- structured interviews and observations.

The potential to reduce the cost of constructed rainwater harvesting tanks in Uganda

In order to identify potential areas for cost reduction of storage tanks, a study of current designs and practices was undertaken in Uganda during June and July of 2007, encompassing seven of the most prominent rainwater harvesting projects in the country.

McGourty (2006) An investigation into the potential of Household Water Treatment for users of hand dug wells in Busia, Uganda

Two interventions, solar water disinfection using SODIS, and chemical disinfection with Waterguard, were introduced to twelve households that use private wells. The results indicate that SODIS was not as popular, demonstrated by two participants discontinuing it’s use and one changing to Waterguard. The most common problems with SODIS are its dependence on the weather, availability of bottles and people forget to put bottles out. Users of Waterguard were generally satisfied with the product and willingness to pay was high. Both interventions were found to be effective in reducing microbiological contamination.

Mills (2006) Stakeholder Perceptions of Self Supply in the Ugandan Rural Water Supply Sector

Barriers for introducing self supply support exist from the implementers’ perspective at various levels but reside often in misconceptions. Opportunities exist both for government and NGOs to develop support strategies but will require further definition of where self supply support programmes are viable and the support of self supply concepts by the donor community and development partners.

Rogenhofer E (2005) Self Supply in Busia Town, Eastern Uganda

Although there is a piped water supply system in Busia town, many households depend on water from hand dug wells, as they can not afford the piped water system connection costs or it is not possible to connect for technical reasons. Only an estimated 20,000 people out of a total town population of 40,000 benefits from the piped water supply system. The remaining 20,000 depend on springs and hand dug wells. All hand dug wells are privately owned and managed.

Tillet (2007) Impacts and Challanges of Implementing Self Supply in Eastern Uganda

This research aimed to evaluate the Self Supply Pilot Project interventions in Eastern Uganda, with a focus on UMURDA’s activities. This involved water quality sampling, water user interviews, and observations and discussions.