Revitalizing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Uganda’s National Determined Contributions` 2021 Revision Process- A Policy Brief

Abstract

Uganda as a signatory to the Paris Agreement is required to update her Nationally Determined Contributions to demonstrate progress after every five years. The Water Sanitation and Hygiene(WASH) sector has proven to be a victim, contributor but also a critical component to addressing the existing climate challenges. Despite the clear link between WASH and Climate change, most climate change initiatives do not address WASH adequately from both adaptation and mitigation perspectives. This study analyzed the WASH related targets in Uganda’s current NDCs to ascertain how they have been addressed from both the mitigation and adaptation perspectives. The paper took on a rapid assessment of the current NDCs using a desk study and secondary literature review approach coupled with key stakeholder expert inputs through write-shops. Whereas WASH climate focused targets have been to a greater extent covered under adaptation, there is limited integration from the mitigation perspective which does not provide a balanced approach towards achieving the targets set out in the NDCs. The policy brief recommends a number of actions that include inclusion of WASH mitigation policy action in the NDCs, setting adaptation targets for the waste sector, amplifying the role of the private sector in WASH in the updated NDCs, prioritizing research and development to support decision making, providing for measurement, reporting and verifications for WASH in the NDCs, enhanced technology transfer and alignment of the updated NDCs with the long-term strategy. If adopted, these recommendations provide a starting point to comprehensively address WASH in the revised NDCs and subsequently contribute to the achievement of goal six of Sustainable Development Goals on clean water and sanitation for all.