Uganda has just hosted a high level Africa Water and Sanitation Congress. Certainly, there has been an improvement in the supply of safe drinking water across the country, from less than 30% 15 years ago to 68% at the moment. This development is plausible.

However, more effort is needed if safe water is to be supplied uniformly across the country. While some areas have 80% safe water supply, others like Karamoja and Namutumba have less than 40% clean water supply. This is where the challenge lies.

Areas without enough safe drinking water do not rely entirely on the National Water and Sewerage Corporation pipes, but also on other alternatives which are often not safe.

The World Bank estimates that in most cities in developing countries, more than half the population gets basic water service from suppliers other than the incumbent official utility.

To achieve and quickly improve water supply, the Government should adopt and implement a multi-pronged approach to the water problem. For example, one natural source of water is rain. Across the country, a lot of rain water is wasted. However, if this water is harvested, it can be used on a sunny day. To do this, the Government must promote water harvesting across the country. There are many people who have the means to harvest rain water, but lack the knowledge to do so. For an average household, a 1,000 litre tank can take them through two weeks.

Harvested rain water can be used for more than drinking. Rain water is free of charge and harvesting it would save Uganda from the dangers of floods which often ravage the country.

In city suburbs, it is common to find water run offs on a rainy day. This would not be happening if the water is tapped from the rooftops.
Not every household can afford a water tank. However, the Government can devise ways of giving out water tanks at subsidised prices. The harvest from this would be enormous.