Uganda’s Water Minister Calls for Transparency in District Projects

Summary:

• Uganda’s Minister for Water, Aisha Sekindi, is urging district leaders to provide transparent reports on government funding for water projects, amid concerns of misrepresentation. Collaboration with NGOs has led to successful initiatives, highlighting the importance of local leadership and sustainability.

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MAYUGE, (Examiner) – Uganda’s Minister for Water, Aisha Sekindi, is pressing for greater transparency from district leaders regarding the allocation of government funding for water projects. She is concerned that certain districts may be misleading about their expenditure by including projects implemented by Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in their financial reports.

Minister Sekindi articulated her stance during the inauguration of a new water system in Mayuge district. She underscored the necessity for districts to distinguish between water initiatives financed by government grants and those facilitated by NGOs.

“The president expects a transparent breakdown of how district funds are utilized,” Minister Sekindi clarified. “We must ensure accountability and distinguish between water systems funded by the government and those assisted by NGOs.”

Amidst the government’s ambitious initiative to achieve universal access to clean water by 2030, the minister’s push for transparency gains significance. To monitor progress and identify discrepancies, Minister Sekindi has undertaken field visits to verify district reports on water coverage. During these visits, she uncovered disparities between official records and information provided by local Members of Parliament.

“In the past, districts have misrepresented water coverage statistics,” Minister Sekindi remarked. “There have been instances where district reports contradicted the information provided by our MPs from their constituencies.”

The recently inaugurated water system in Mayuge exemplifies successful collaboration between the government, an NGO (WaterAid Uganda), and a religious organization (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). This project facilitated clean water access for over 2,500 individuals and provided hygiene education to more than 3,000 residents.

Minister Sekindi stressed the significance of local leadership in ensuring project sustainability and preventing the conflation of government and NGO initiatives. She urged Local Council leaders at various levels to actively oversee government projects.

Local village chairperson, Mr. Etole Gaspero, highlighted the community’s past struggles due to inadequate access to clean water. These challenges included waterborne illnesses, long distances to water sources, and safety concerns, especially for women.

“Previously, women and girls had to trek long distances to fetch water, often from unsafe sources in swamp areas, which sometimes resulted in violence,” Mr. Gaspero recalled. “Waterborne diseases were rampant, and considerable expenses were incurred for treatment.”

Expressing gratitude for the new water system, Mr. Gaspero noted a decrease in domestic violence incidents as women no longer had to travel far for water. He also lauded WaterAid Uganda for promoting hygiene and sanitation practices within the community.

WaterAid Uganda’s country director, Ernest Gbekor, reiterated the organization’s dedication to project sustainability. He elaborated on their collaborative efforts with the government to ensure the longevity of water facilities and broaden water access nationwide.

“Sustainability is paramount for WaterAid,” Mr. Gbekor emphasized. “We collaborate with the ministry and other stakeholders to ensure the proper maintenance of these facilities for the community’s benefit. This substantial investment must be safeguarded for future generations.”

Minister Sekindi’s initiative underscores the Ugandan government’s commitment to enhancing water access and transparency in district-level project management. By ensuring accurate allocation and reporting of funds, these efforts strive to attain the national objective of universal water coverage by 2030.

editorial@examiner.co.ug