Brief on Water and Sanitation Development Facility- North (WSDF-N) under the Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE)

The WSDFs were formed by MWE as a mechanism for funding water and sanitation investments in Small Towns (STs), Town Boards (TB) and Rural Growth Centres (RGCs) using a demand driven approach. The WSDF was first piloted in south western region of Uganda in 1996. Currently, there are four regional branches with their headquarters in Mbarara, Wakiso, Lira, and Mbale districts. The funding for the WSDFs has been managed under the Joint Partnership Fund (JPF): counter - part funding from German financial Cooperation through KfW, European Union, Austrian Development Cooperation and The African Development Bank (ADB).

The WSDF-N is a funding mechanism for investments in water supply and sanitation facilities in small towns and RGCs in northern Ugandaincluding water supplies in former IDP camps. The Facility forms part of the nationally identified programmes in the National sector framework implemented under the Joint Water and Sanitation Sector Programme Support (JWSSPS). The WSDF-N funding is through a joint contribution of GoU, and Development Partner; KfW. The programme is currently covering 23 districts in the Lango, Acholi, and West Nile sub-regions of northern Uganda.

WSDF-N interventions contribute towards

Increased water supply service coverage for STs/RGCs in a pro-poor sensitive manner.
Improved urban sanitation and hygiene services in STs/RGCs.

This is achieved through;

Construction of Piped water supply systems and Sanitation facilities in the small towns and Rural Growth Centres ,
Carrying out promotional campaigns aimed at improving latrine coverage, personal hygiene like hand washing after visiting latrine, and water source catchment protection;
Building capacities of Local Authorities and communities to sustainably operate and manage the investments put in place,
Sensitisation of communities on water and sanitation to ensure their effective participation and ownership through trainings, workshops, meetings, home visits, radios, traditional and print media.
Water source catchment protection
HIV/AIDs awareness creation and implementation of programmes in a gender sensitive manner.

WSDF-N will be our main partner to access the research sites and discuss the results and meaning for their project implementation. Our partners guarantee access to key stakeholders in the villages and offer thorough background information on the socio-economic constitution of the area. WSDF-N has their offices in Lira (northern Uganda).