Is urban water sector reform in Uganda pro-poor?

Water service coverage to the urban areas of Uganda is one of the lowest in Africa, estimated at about 25% of the total urban population at the turn of the century. Sewerage coverage is far less. As a result, the government commissioned a study to explore the best option to reform the water sector with an objective of achieving universal coverage by the year 2015. The consultants came up with a final report in 2001, in which they proposed a single lease contract for a group of 33 larger towns, and management contracts for smaller towns. This paper critiques the proposals, and concludes that there are inadequate mechanisms put in place to serve the urban poor.