WSDF-E

Background

The Water and Sanitation Development Facility – East (WSDF-E) is a funding mechanism for provision of water supply and sanitation to small towns in the Eastern and North Eastern region of Uganda.  The WSDF-E covers 39 Districts of Amuria, Kotido, Kaabong, Abim, Moroto, Katakwi, Soroti, Kaberamaido, Kumi, Bukedea, Bukwo, Kapchorwa  Nakapiripirit, Sironko, Manafwa, Bududa, Mbale, Tororo, Busia, Butaleja, Pallisa, Budaka, Namutumba, Bugiri, Kaliro, Iganga, Mayuge, Kamuli, Jinja, Buyende, Namayingo, Amudat, Serere, Luuka, Bulambuli, Napak, Ngora, Kibuku and Kween. The Facility builds on the implementation experience accumulated from implemented projects from 2009 to 2017

The Facility received more funding to implement “Support to the Water and Sanitation Development Facilities North and East” Phase II to serve additional 105,591 people in the WSDF-E project area.

WSDF-E Development objective

The WSDF-E development objective is ‘To improve the socio-economic situation and the opportunities for people living in the Small Towns (STs) and Rural Growth Centers (RGC’s) through provision of safe, adequate, reliable, sustainable and accessible water supply and promotion of improved practices of hygiene and sanitation’ in the Eastern and North Eastern region of Uganda.

WSDF-E specific development objectives are:

• Development of piped water supply systems in targeted STs and RGCs that are safe, adequate, reliable and accessible including feasibility studies, water source development, construction, establishment of O&M structures using the “demand driven approach” and incorporating gender issues.
• Improved general health conditions through reduction of water borne diseases and promotion of good practices of hygiene and sanitation in the targeted STs  and RGCs targeting achievement of 100% toilet coverage in the water supply areas by substantial completion of the construction works of the piped water supply systems.
• Empowered communities in the targeted STs and RGCs through a high degree of community engagement and capacity building for O&M of the installed facilities.
• Contribution to water resource and environmental protection through the use of appropriate technologies in water and sanitation interventions and adherence to related national guidelines.
• Development and promotion of appropriate technologies of sanitation facilities both at household level and public infrastructure including sludge management systems
• Support to operations and maintenance of existing water supply systems through major renewal and expansion of infrastructure to improve their functionality, increase coverage and minimise redundancy.

Implementation approaches and modalities for town water supply and sanitation activities are guided by the WSDF Operation Manual. Activities funded under the WSDF framework include water supply infrastructure (new investment, rehabilitation, and major extensions), software and sanitation promotion in Small Towns (STs) and implementation follows a demand responsive approach where the Local Governments and communities express their demand for the facilities and services. To commit all parties, a Memorandum of Understanding is signed where obligations of each party are clearly spelt out. All the Towns lined up to be implemented passed through this approach where they submitted their applications for implementation, were verified, ranked based on a transparent set of criteria and subsequently selected and approved by the steering committee.

Technical Description

• During the financial year 2016/17, the WSDF-E completed construction of one (1) town water supply and sanitation system of Kagoma RGC. Construction continued in the RGCs of Nakapiripirit(97%), Kyere TC(85%), Ocapa(85%), and Kapelebyong(55%), Bulegeni(15%), Namagera(65%), Iziru(30%), Busedde-Bugobya(45%), Buyende(30%), Kasambira tank(25%) and Kamuli Faecal Sludge treatment plant(10%).
• Community trainings on sanitation were done in the different areas of implementation. A total number of 10 towns were supported to establish effective O&M structures including training WSSBs/Operators. Software activities were carried to ensure active participation by stakeholders. 
• During the financial year, the Facility held its 12th steering committee meeting from 15^th – 17^th, November 2016 in Mbale District where Kyere and Ocapa Water supply and sanitation schemes were visited. The meeting was chaired by Eng. Ssozi Disan, Commissioner, Sector Liaison Department.
• Procurement submissions were approved and adverts were run for framework contracts and prequalification. Evaluations of bids for works and services were also done and contract agreements were awarded and signed.
• In the financial year 2017/2018, the WSDF–E will undertake to complete key outputs that were not previously achieved in the previous FY. Accordingly, 10 towns of Nakapiripirit TC, Kyere RGC, Ocapa RGC, Iziru RGC, Kapelebyong RGC, Buyende RGC, Namagera RGC, Kasambira Tank, Busedde-Bugobya RGC and Bulegeni RGC, will be constructed to completion. Construction will also commence in 5 towns.
• Designs will be undertaken and completed for 4 regional systems of Namayingo area, Serere area, Namutumba-Busembatya-Ivukula and Soroti-Amuria-Orungo corner. All associated “software” activities such as mobilisation; training and development of strategies for effective participation will be used alongside the technical/engineering related activities.  In liaison with the eUws and kUws, the WSDF-E will set up the required operation and maintenance (O&M) structures to coincide with completion of construction activities and hands-on-trainings for WSSBs for the respective schemes to increase management efficiency and encourage results-based-monitoring of schemes.
• Sanitation activities will continue in all the schemes focussing on improving household sanitation coverage corresponding to the improved sanitation standards through the integrated sanitation and hygiene (ISH) strategy. Communities will be capacitated through sanitation and hygiene education to appreciate the need for improved sanitation and hygiene at both household and public levels. 20 masons/artisans will be trained in the FY, a total of 25 demonstration toilets will be constructed, 12 public toilets will be constructed and one (1) sludge treatment plant are planned to be constructed. These will be done along with 28 community sanitation trainings including, stakeholders’ trainings, house to house trainings, posters, media shows and sanitation and hygiene drama sensitisations. Sanitation baseline surveys will also be conducted in each town.
• Cross cutting issues like HIV/AIDS awareness, gender mainstreaming, pro-poor strategies, good governance, promotion of renewable energies, sustainable sanitation technologies and environmental concerns among others will highly be integrated in the implementation of activities. The WSDF-E will follow the available guidelines and regulations and also collaborate with other professional institutions to ensure good the communities are sensitised about them.

Key achievements