News Flash
EU/APWO project successfully completed
In his letter of April 5th, 2012, Jose Soler, Head of Operations of the European Union in Uganda, informs the Chairman of APWO, Sam Ogot, that the final -and expenditure verification reports for project 9: ACP RPR 50/27 – “Supporting Local Private Operators in Sustainable Provision of Water and Sanitation Services in Small Towns” have been approved by the European Union. This marks the successful end of a three year capacity building project that included staff-trainings of member companies (e.g. financial management, O&M and water testing), sanitation awareness campaigns, as well as the installation of a new billling software to improve service delivery. The Reform of Urban Water and Sanitation Sector Program (RUWASS), run by GIZ/Rodeco, has contributed significantly to this achievement, since several actions of the EU-project were done in cooperation with this APWO-partner.
People
+++ Rose Nakaggwa, Program Officer at APWO, has been nominated “Head Tutor” for the upcoming Non Revenue Water training by Wave and Mena +++ Francis Mabonga, former APWO caretaker, has been assigned by the Ministry of Water & Environment to develop a proposal for a reform of the current procurement process of water services in small towns +++ Moses Mwesigwa, APWO General Secretary, has been selected to receive a Training of Trainers (ToT) in ”Water Integrity” in Munich, Germany +++
Uganda on track to meet Millennium Development Goal (MDG) on safe drinking water
According to The EastAfrican (March 12-18, p. 14), a joint report by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) states that 72% of the Ugandan population is now using improved sources of drinking water. This figure is far better than those of Uganda’s East African neighbours Kenya (<60%) and Tanzania (55%).
In the view of APWO this is to a great extend a result of the successful Private Sector Participation (PSP) model in Uganda, which utilizes Private Water Operators for managing towns – a model that does not exist in the two other countries.
However, despite the improvements, more investment by the government is required to bring this number to the 100% that the Government of Uganda has as its objective.
Current Areas of Interest / Activities
Code of Business Ethics and Conduct
Introduction Abundant poverty, threatened water catchment areas and water sources arising from deforestation and climate change, struggling local governments, poor customer attitude towards payment for services, poorly functioning water supply and sanitation boards … – there are many factors that create a constant challenging environment for Private Water Operators (PWOs) in Uganda. To overcome some [...]
Read Full Story.APWO launches position paper on water tariffs
Background In July 2008 Cabinet approved a Cabinet Memorandum by the Ministry of Water and Environment on a new tariff policy for water supply services small towns, rural growth centers and large gravity flow schemes (Cabinet Minute 207 CT 2008). This tariff policy gives the obligation to each Water Authority to set a scheme specific [...]
Read Full Story.APWO takes part in WAVEplus Strategic Meeting
A group of 4 individuals from Uganda joined other four countries in Nairobi-Kenya on the 9th to 11th of February 2012 to come up with a WAVEplus regional and national work plans for 2012 and indicative plans for 2013 and 2014. The team comprise of Winifred Nabakiibi of GIZ-RUWASS, Joseph Epitu from the Ministry of [...]
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Lessons from AfricaSan 3
APWO-Program Officer Rosemary Nakaggwa – with support from the World Bank – attended the AfricaSan3 conference in Kigali from 19th to 21st of July 2011. These are some impressions she wants to share:
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Take problems of private water operators seriously
Private Water Operators face six critical challenges at the moment that threaten their very existence and therefore need to be addressed by policy makers in the water sector. Here below, I highlight without order the challenges:
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Focal talks between Water Authorities and APWO
Mid August, APWO made courtesy visits to the Water Authorities of Bombo, Wobulenzi, Mbirizi, Kinoni, Lukaya and Kiboga. The visits had five objectives: a) reduce the knowledge gap between Water Authorities and APWO, b) increase the visibility of the association, c) inform the water authorities about APWO’s role, d) get to know the performance of [...]
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