WATER AND SANITATION PROGRAM AROUND NATIONAL PARKS IN UGANDA
Uganda is home to breathtaking national parks, rich biodiversity, and communities that depend on natural resources for survival. However, many of these communities face significant challenges in accessing clean water and proper sanitation facilities. The Pamoja Afya (health) Initiative water and sanitation program improves public health, environmental conservation, and overall community well-being.
Conducting Comprehensive Needs Assessment
PAI conduct extensive needs assessment to identify specific water-related challenges faced by communities near national parks. Factors such as water scarcity, contamination risks, existing sanitation infrastructure, and local knowledge on hygiene practices are carefully examined.. PAI also analyze how tourism and wildlife conservation efforts impact water resources.
Community Engagement and Ownership
Under this program, Pamoja Afya Initiative involves the local communities in every stage, from planning to implementation and maintenance; we create community-led committees to oversee water and sanitation projects. Additionally, the program carries out training sessions on hygiene, water management, and sanitation maintenance. These trainings majorly target Women, who are often the primary collectors of water in many Ugandan households, and they are empowered with leadership roles in managing community water sources. When communities take ownership of these water projects, the likelihood of long-term success significantly increases.
Implementing Sustainable Water Infrastructure
Pamoja implements Sustainable Water Supply Solutions. Ensuring a reliable and sustainable water supply is one of the biggest challenges in communities near Uganda’s national parks. Many areas experience water scarcity due to seasonal droughts, deforestation, and limited infrastructure
Our program constructs reliable and sustainable water sources using readily available technologies depending on the local geography and water availability. We therefore drill boreholes construct gravity-fed water systems, rainwater harvesting tanks, and solar-powered water pumps, swallow wells and protected springs.
Construction of Sanitation infrastructures
Pamoja Afya Initiative also constructs eco-friendly latrines and waste management systems. We note that Poor sanitation leads to water contamination and increases the risk of disease outbreaks. We therefore Install ventilated improved pit latrines (VIPs) or composting toilets to enhance sanitation while minimizing environmental impact. PAI as well promotes proper waste disposal facilities to prevent contamination of water bodies within and around the national parks. Besides proper waste management plays a major role in minimizing conflicts. This is because improper disposal of food waste attracts wildlife, particularly baboons and elephants, to communities, increasing the likelihood of dangerous interactions. Therefore structured waste collection, composting organic waste, and securing trash bins with wildlife-proof covers are practical measures to address this challenge.
Hygiene Education and Behavior Change Initiatives
Pamoja Afya (Health Initiative) recognizes that providing clean water and sanitation facilities alone is not enough; communities must also adopt proper hygiene practices. The program therefore implements comprehensive hygiene education programs that cover handwashing, safe water storage, waste disposal, and disease prevention. The program majorly target Schools nearing national parks for hygiene education, as children can become agents of change in their families and communities. The introduction of handwashing stations, water treatment tablets, and hygiene clubs in schools ensures that future generations grow up with a strong understanding of proper sanitation.
Addressing Human-Wildlife Conflict Through Water and Sanitation
National parks in Uganda are home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, hippos, and primates, which often wander into nearby villages in search of water, leading to human-wildlife conflicts. To mitigate such encounters, Pamoja Afya (Health) Initiative strategically constructs water points away from wildlife corridors and building alternative water sources for animals, such as artificial waterholes within the parks, also helps reduce wildlife encroachment into human settlements.
Collaboration and partnership
Pamoja Afya( health) Initiative makes partnerships and collaboration with different actors to promote sustainable water and sanitation program in communities surrounding national parks in Uganda.