Summary:
- Vice President Alupo highlighted that the National Resistance Movement (NRM), under the leadership of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has prioritized social transformation and wealth creation. This commitment is evident in the substantial investments made by the government in healthcare, education, and WASH.
KAMPALA: The government, in collaboration with development partners, has launched a new campaign aimed at improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) across the country.
The “WASH is Everyone’s Business Campaign,” officially unveiled by Vice President Maj. (Rtd) Jessica Alupo, carries the theme: “WASH Away Inequality: Access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for Every Woman and Girl.”
Speaking at the launch event held at Sheraton Hotel on Tuesday, the Vice President emphasized the critical role that WASH services play in national development and in addressing social inequalities.
“I am pleased that this campaign advocates for and amplifies the need to scale up access to gender-responsive WASH services for women and girls in Uganda,” she stated.
WaterAid Uganda, alongside other development partners including the Uganda Water and Sanitation Network, Water for People, IRC-WASH, Oxfam in Uganda, USAID, and UNICEF, is leading this campaign.
Vice President Alupo highlighted that the National Resistance Movement (NRM), under the leadership of H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, has prioritized social transformation and wealth creation. This commitment is evident in the substantial investments made by the government in healthcare, education, and WASH.
She noted that in the 2024/25 Financial Year budget, UGX 10.216 trillion was allocated to these priority areas. She further acknowledged the detrimental impact of inadequate gender-responsive WASH services on women and girls, contributing to school dropouts and increasing the risk of gender-based violence due to the time spent collecting water.
Addressing these barriers, Alupo stressed the need for collective action from both the government and development partners to overcome infrastructure deficits and cultural norms that hinder access to WASH services.
The Vice President reassured the nation of the NRM government’s commitment to achieving universal access to WASH, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 6.
Currently, water coverage stands at 67% in rural areas and 73% in urban areas. Out of 71,225 villages, 56,617 have been provided with at least one safe water source by the government.
Alupo emphasized the government’s dedication to reducing inequalities by investing in WASH infrastructure, particularly in underserved communities, schools, and healthcare facilities.
On the policy front, she mentioned that the Ministry of Water and Environment has revised the National Water Policy to prioritize the involvement of women and marginalized groups in water resource management.
She called on development partners, civil society organizations, and the private sector to collaborate with the government in ensuring Uganda meets the 2030 Agenda of leaving no one behind, especially women and girls who are disproportionately affected by the lack of WASH services.
The Vice President pledged the government’s continued commitment to providing gender-responsive WASH services through increased budget allocations, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals and the NRM Manifesto.
She also committed her office to working with all stakeholders to amplify efforts towards improving access to WASH services for women and girls in Uganda, ensuring accountability and effective monitoring of service delivery.
Alupo concluded by urging all partners to join the campaign and work together with the government to “WASH Away Inequality” and build a better future for all women and girls in Uganda.
