Roles for the private sector in WES programme, Uganda

The Water and Environment Sanitation Programme (WES) is one of the four programmes of the Government of Uganda-UNICEF Country Programme (CP) running from the year 1995 to December 2000. UNICEF and Government jointly implement the CP with the aim of improving the well being of women and children in Uganda. The WES Programme covers 34 out of the 45 districts. In Uganda, it is established that poor hygiene and sanitation practices, compounded by low levels of access to safe water and a poor living environment, are the major causes of almost 50% of child illnesses. Household safe water supply and a sanitary/hygienic environment are both a necessary conditions for health. National coverage indicators (1992) for rural safe water supply stood at 26% while presence of a sanitary latrine, a critical indicator for a sanitary and hygienic environment, stood at 46% (Government of Uganda-Unicef 1994). The WES Programme as district-based is implemented by the district. The district staff implements activities. The Programme however is moving away from this direct implementation by districts to contracting out construction roles to private contractors. This shift is in line with the government policies of liberalisation and privatisation. The privatisation policy does not shift the Government responsibilities for provision of services to the people.