Forming associations for hand pump
mechanics in Uganda has enhanced the services they provide and ultimately
improved functionality, a new study [1] shows. One such association
in Kabong district succeeded in improving functionality of water sources from
20% in 2006 to 96% in 2010.
A 2011 study on the effectiveness of
community-managed rural water systems revealed that just 53% were fully
functional. With a coverage rate of 65% this implies that only
about a third of the rural population of Uganda has reliable access to
safe drinking water.
Hand Pump Mechanics Associations
(HPMAs) have been in existence in Uganda for several years but were
under-performing, partly because they were not formalised. In 2007, SNV
Netherlands Development Organisation developed guidelines to
improve HPMA performance.
Now the government, through the
Ministry of Water and Environment (MWE), and its development partners have
decided to set up HPMAs in all districts in Uganda. They have set a target
to set up hand pump mechanics /scheme attendants associations in 80% of
the districts in FY 2011/12, and operationalise them in at least 30% of
districts by FY 2012/13 [2].
Members of the Lira District Hand Pump Mechanics Association undergo
refresher training, January 2012. Photo: IRC/Triple-S
While the Ministry and its partners
are now rolling out awareness raising and capacity building programmes for
HPMAs, several concerns have been raised. One is about their legal
status. The Functionality Working Group, which was set up by the MWE,
recommends that HPMAs first register as Community Based Organisations
(CBOs) as required by the Ministry but that they would also need to allowed to
undertake commercial activities to ensure their sustainability.
IRC International Water and
Sanitation Centre/Sustainable Services as Scale (Triple‐S) is supporting the secretariat of Functionality Working Group.
[1]
IRC and SNV, 2012. Hand Pump Mechanics Associations : improving rural
water service delivery. (Triple-S briefing note). The Hague, The
Netherlands: IRC International Water and
Sanitation Centre/Sustainable Services as Scale (Triple‐S). Available at: <http://bit.ly/KTkKzH>
[2]
MWE, 2011. Water and environment sector : the third Joint Government of
Uganda –Development Partners Sector Review 2011 : agreed minutes : 11th – 13th
October 2011, Kampala. Kampala, Uganda: Ministry of Water and Environment. Available
at: <http://bit.ly/KTldlw>
Related news:
Uganda: associations of pump mechanics help improve functioning of handpumps, E-Source, 14 Dec 2010
Related web sites:
Source:
Hand Pump Mechanics Associations: actualising the dream, IRC-Triple-S/Water Services that Last/,
May 2012
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