Innovate 4Wash

It is widely recognized that water is central to sustainable development, and is linked with socioeconomic development, healthy ecosystems, and human survival. In Uganda, improving access to water and sanitation leads to an improvement in the health, welfare, and productivity of populations. Every day, unsafe water results in many deaths and the spread of water-related diseases, including those caused by microorganisms and chemical substances, such as dysentery and cholera. These waterborne diseases are a significant cause of suffering and infant mortality in Uganda. In many parts of Uganda, underground water sources are threatened by the pollution produced in certain mining, farming, and industrial activities, especially in areas where there is a lack of adequate regulation or controls. It is not only a question of industrial waste, but also detergents and chemical products, which are commonly used in many parts of the country, and continue to pour into our rivers, lakes, seas, and other water bodies.

Some studies warn that an acute water shortage may occur within a few decades unless urgent action is taken, and the environmental repercussions could affect billions of people. In Uganda, financial needs for improving the water sector are also huge, but investing in the water sector is often perceived as risky and complex. To attract more public and private investments into the water sector in Uganda, innovative finance mechanisms are needed to de-risk and make the sector more attractive. Financial investments and attention need to move from exclusions into supporting environmental and sustainable development goals-based investment funds and new initiatives with real impact in Uganda.