Kadaga Rallies African Countries on Sanitation While Closing AFWA Conference

The Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Hon Alitwala Kadaga yesterday officially closed the 20^th Africa Forum for Water Association (AFWA) International Congress and Exhibition that has been going on at the Serena Conference Centre in Kampala since Monday 24th.

Speaker Kadaga in her concluding remarks urged the attending countries through their water and sanitation bodies to give priority to water and sanitation issues in their countries if Africa is to achieve sustainable development and meet the Social Development Goals (SDG).

“When you go back, look at your markets, schools, hospitals, rural areas and ask yourself if they all have hygienic, clean and accessible, gender friendly toilets; if these places have clean, reliable and affordable water and if not, work in those areas because Sanitation is key to development,” she said.

The event which was organised by NWSC on behalf of AFWA in partnership with local sponsors was officially opened by President Yoweri Museveni on Monday and attended by over 2000 delegates from over 70 countries, of which 40 countries were from Africa and members of AFWA.

The Chairman Board NWSC, Christopher Ebal appealed to Parliament to put in place strong regulations against environmental degradation, environmental pollution, and irregularities in water connections

“We thank the government because it has been very supportive to us before and during this conference. We continue to ask for more support because the fight for water access and sanitation is a strong one that we must win,” he said.

 

Speaking at a press conference held shortly after the conference, Silver Mugisha the Executive Director National Water and Sewage Corporation (NWSC) who was also confirmed as the new President of AFWA applauded Uganda for holding the most successful AFWA conference so far.

He further pointed out the need for countries to focus on not only Water but in the same effort focus on sanitation which is as important as water access

“Africa had made tremendous progress towards water access for all, however we are lagging behind in sanitation mainly because investing in sanitation requires a lot of money which may not easily be recovered,” he said

“We must now focus on the commercial aspect of sanitation to interest private investors like biofuels and use of wastes to generate electricity,” he said

During the 4 day conference, there were technical and scientific discussions on water and sanitation management, capacity building, financing, innovation and technology and governance and innovations.