Uganda

2020 Voluntary National Review

Uganda reported slight improvements in the proportion of the urban population using an improved drinking water source, from 71% in 2016 to 79% in 2019, while in rural areas it has increased from 65% to 69% over the same period. It is reported that the proportion of villages with a safe water supply continues to rise, up from 64% in 2017 to 66% in 2019. The country also reported to face some challenges: water sources in Uganda are under threat from increasing pollution and an increased demand for water from a growing population, industrialization, urbanization, agriculture, hydropower, the need for water-related ecosystems, and the impacts of climate change. The country noted that achieving universal access to even basic sanitation services by 2030 would require doubling the current annual rate of progress. 

In 2018, the country reported to have started implementing the Water & Environment Sector Performance Measurement Framework (2016), including a revision of its 22 golden and platinum indicators to incorporate the SDGs and other emerging issues that stem from the need for more stringent water quality requirements, improved water and sanitation measures, good governance and climate change.   

Uganda stated that the Government’s current focus towards fast-tracking realization of the SDG 6 targets is on increasing coverage for the least-served areas, operationalizing non-functional water points, and establishing more pro-poor facilities where people pay less or equal to the house connection tariff in the service area. They reported that the government is also considering adopting a “triple R” approach of Recognizing care at policy, community, and household levels, Reducing difficult care work through labor-saving technology, and Redistributing the care work costs and responsibilities from women to men.   

Uganda pledged safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030, which requires investments in adequate infrastructure, the provision of sanitation facilities, encouraging good hygiene practices, and protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems.  

Read the full report here: https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/26352VNR_2020_Uganda_Report.pdf 

*The information reflected on this page has been taken directly from the official VNR received from this Member State. The information does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations.