‘Double sanitation, water expenditure’

Jun 06, 2003

THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative, Daouda Toure, has asked the Government to double its current water and sanitation expenditure as a primary solution to the high infant mortality rates in the country.

THE United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative, Daouda Toure, has asked the Government to double its current water and sanitation expenditure as a primary solution to the high infant mortality rates in the country.

Richard Komakech reports that Toure said the Government’s provision of adequate sanitation and sustainable fresh water supply will require significant investment in infrastructure and technology.

This is if the country is to achieve its objective of ensuring safe water coverage by 2015 in compliance with the UNDP millennium development goal of alleviating poverty by reducing the proportion of people who lack safe water and proper sanitation.

This was at the World Environment Day celebrations on Thursday at Mugeera Primary School, Nakasongola. The slogan for this year’s celebrations was “Water, we all need it, save and conserve it”.

In a message read by the deputy resident representative, Dan Temu, the envoy said, “Options like pipe water purification and primary health education about basic hygiene practices would, for instance, go a long way towards alleviating the disease burden caused by dirty water.”

Quoting the latest National Household Survey, Toure said 14% of Ugandans lack access to toilet facilities while only 2% use flush toilets. The latest poverty status report indicates that many of the pit latrines used are rudimentary, and only 51% percent of rural households may be said to have safe excreta disposal, he said.

In his message, the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan, asked the developed world to increase their funding for water resources in developing countries.

Lands, water and environment minister Col. Kahinda Otafiire said Uganda has massive water cover, but socio-economic activities are hindering its reach to those who need it most.

The environment and water state ministers and the Nakasongola district chairman, Christopher Bagonza, attended the function.

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