Mukono District Local Government, in partnership with Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET), has held a stakeholder technical meeting to review progress and updates on the implementation of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme in Ntenjeru Kisoga Town Council, Mpatta Sub-county, and Mpunge Sub-county, while also discussing plans for its possible expansion to other parts of the district.
The programme, implemented with support from Danish People’s Aid, aims to strengthen water, sanitation and hygiene systems while empowering communities to actively participate in the management and sustainability of water facilities.
The engagement brought together several district officials and technical staff responsible for planning and implementing development programmes. Among those present were the District Water Officer Denis Nadduli Zaake, the District Community Development Officer Minisa Kirya Namukose, District Planning representative Balironda Patrick, Schools Inspector Yiga representing the District Education Officer, Christine Adyedo representing the District Health Officer, Ms Fulatu Namboozo the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer representing the Chief Administrative Officer of Mukono Mr Ddamba Henry the District Vice Chairperson Joram Kabali Kimera, who represented the District Chairperson Peter Bakaluba Mukasa.
During the meeting, the Executive Director of UWASNET Yumia Musaazi explained that Mukono District was selected among the first five districts in Uganda to benefit from the programme.
She noted that the initiative focuses on strengthening the capacity of community structures and local organizations so that they can effectively manage water and sanitation facilities within their communities.
According to Musaazi, many water facilities fail after some time due to weak management systems or lack of proper maintenance structures.
The programme therefore aims to equip communities with the knowledge and skills needed to maintain these facilities and ensure they remain functional for many years.
She emphasized the importance of sensitizing communities and government structures starting from village water user committees, noting that these committees play a key role in ensuring proper use and regular maintenance of water sources.
Musaazi also encouraged communities to contribute small monthly subscriptions that can be used to repair water facilities whenever breakdowns occur, allowing communities to respond quickly without waiting for external support.
She thanked the leadership of Mukono District for their cooperation and support that enabled the programme to begin successfully, and requested the district to support the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalize cooperation between the district and UWASNET.
Speaking during the engagement, the District Vice Chairperson Joram Kabali Kimera welcomed the partnership and commended UWASNET for selecting Mukono among the first districts to benefit from the programme.
He described the initiative as an important step toward improving access to safe water and strengthening sanitation systems across the district.
Hon. Kabali emphasized that development programmes that focus on sustainability and community participation are essential because they empower communities to take responsibility for the facilities that serve them.
He also encouraged UWASNET to ensure that the programme benefits different parts of the district in a balanced manner. He noted that the organisation had already visited areas such as Mpatta Sub-county, Mpunge Sub-county, and Ntenjeru Sub-county, while exploring expansion opportunities.
According to him, Mukono District has diverse geographical conditions including communities near water bodies and others located in highland areas, which face different water and sanitation challenges. He therefore urged the organisation to consider these differences when selecting future areas for programme expansion.
Kabali further suggested that the programme should also consider expanding to northern parts of the district, including areas within the Nakifuma Constituency, so that communities across the district can benefit equally.
The stakeholder meeting highlighted the district’s strong commitment to improving water access and sanitation systems through collaboration with development partners.
Through the partnership between Mukono District, Uganda Water and Sanitation NGO Network (UWASNET), and Danish People’s Aid, communities are expected to benefit from strengthened WASH systems, improved water management practices, and increased public awareness on sanitation and hygiene.
With the programme expected to run up to 2030, stakeholders expressed optimism that the continued cooperation between the district, community structures, and development partners will help build resilient communities with reliable, well-maintained water facilities, ultimately improving public health, education outcomes, and economic.
