PUBLIC WATER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT IN UGANDA: THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK, OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

Access to public services in developing countries is always inefficient and resistant
to reform. Despite substantial investments in public water and waste management in
Uganda, coverage and service levels have failed to improve as expected due to
sluggish progress. Whereas there may be substantial legal framework in place, there
are challenges and obstacles which affect adequate access to these services. Only
32 % of Ugandans have access to safe water supply, while only 19 % have access to
basic sanitation. This is partly attributed to lack of enforcement and weak punitive
measures in the relevant legal framework. Other challenges include, poor
management, corruption, politicization and lack of the requisite political will, rapid
population growth, poor infrastructure, lack of technical capacity, and poor financing.
The government has devised among others private takeover of some public services
by profit maximising companies which in turn alienates the poor from accessing
them. Therefore, this desk review suggests the way forward towards a sustainable
public water and waste management.