Three-Year SHF Project Delivers Sanitation Gains, Strengthens Uganda’s WASH Systems

What the report says

A three-year sanitation and hygiene programme has ended after expanding access to improved sanitation and strengthening WASH systems in seven Ugandan districts, according to Nile Post. The initiative involved the Government of Uganda, the Sanitation and Hygiene Fund, Water For People Uganda and other sector partners, with work spanning households, schools and health facilities.

The project was carried out in Buikwe, Buyende, Kabarole, Kamuli, Kayunga, Kole and Luuka, with some activity later extending to Kampala. It supported local sanitation businesses such as masons and pit emptiers, while also promoting financing models meant to help households and institutions invest in better facilities. In addition, it aimed to improve government coordination through policy work, monitoring, Results-Based Financing and guidance on climate-resilient sanitation in schools.

Water For People Uganda said its Results-Based Financing approach was linked to a reported increase of more than 100% in safely managed sanitation access and an 87% rise in basic sanitation access among targeted households, schools and health facilities. The programme also backed the construction and upgrading of sanitation facilities and encouraged private-sector participation in the sanitation market.

The close-out event took place in Kampala, where government officials, development partners, local authorities and sanitation stakeholders reviewed the results and discussed how to sustain them. Officials said the project was designed to work closely with public institutions, and partners emphasized the need for local ownership, continued use of government sanitation budgets and stronger financing to preserve the gains after donor support ends.