End duplication of services among NGOs - Kwesiga

The outgoing country Director of WaterAid Uganda, Francis Kwesiga, has challenged non-government organisations (NGOs) in Uganda within the water sector, to embrace coordinating and avoid duplication of services.

"The ability for NGOs to coordinate themselves is yet to be perfected. There is still an element of duplication, a little bit of competition that has been seen out, which is still immense and the new director cannot accomplish on her own without mobilising more resources given the limited staff," he said on Friday.

He challenged his predecessor to grow the space and also strengthen the partners including the media which is the voice to make sure the targets set for 2030 can be accomplished.

"We have very bright leaders, great innovators and we have the resources therefore we need to come together."

While handing over office to Jane Sembuche Mselle the new country director, Kwesigwa challenged the incoming country director to be focused, embrace unity and respect to the workers to ensure achieving the ultimate goals of the organisation which is water access, sanitation and hygiene service.

He said that some of the strong journeys ahead of the new country head include working on the joint sector performance monitoring plan which had been started on which looks at indicators of water, sanitation and hygiene and making sure the indicators are measured on the same way as the sustainable development goal.

Others are water Resources Institute support, KCCA and National Water and Sewerage Corporation working relation on top of building capacity of water engineers, district water officers among others.

"I have left a very big comprehensive task of the work we have been doing which she will have to build on and also strengthen the relationship.

Kwesigwa said that working for eight years was enough for him since his mission was to build leaders.

"I am sure eight years are enough for my contribution, I could do more and can stay for twenty years  but I believe in building leaders and whenever I have been,  I have built leaders and I have made sure that I leave them to take up my space," he said.

"Seeing such a handover when am still alive is something which should be emulated by all leader presidents of Africa I would like to see handle overs done within our governments, ministries and head of families making everything clear with their wives such that at the end there is no panic," he added

The commissioner water resources in the ministry of water and environment, Dr Calist Tindimugaya, applauded Kwesigwa towards supporting the establishment of the water resources institute which is acting as a platform for exchange of ideas and a capacity building centre of excellence.

"Kwesigwa has been our role model, he is the first person who responded when the call to support the establishment of the institute came on, I pray that the relation is built even further even in his absence," he said.

Accepting office, Mselle pledged to promote WASH Issues to contribute to reducing multidimensional poverty and achieving universal access to basic services like nutrition, health, education, gender equality and productivity.

The recent sector review report has revealed that in contemporary Uganda, the population using improved drinking water source in urban areas has increased from 71% as of June 2017 to 77% in June 2018.

Functionality of water facilities increased from 86% in 2016/17 to 86.7% in 2017/18.the percentage of water points with functionality water and sanitation committees was estimated at 89% as of June 2018.

"I am happy that WaterAid Uganda is unlocking the potential for ground water for poor project research findings  which has worked with the ministry of water and Environment to finally pass a directive banning use of galvanised iron pipes replacing them with plastic pipes," she said.

She promised to support the development of, adoption and implementation of relevant policies that promote access to all safe water, sanitation and hygiene services.