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Kampala, the capital city of Uganda, has a population of 1.8 million people (UN-
HABITAT 2010). About 85 per cent of the city’s population lives in slums (UN-HABITAT
2010). These informal settlements cover 25 per cent of the total area of the city, and are
underserved with improved drinking water and sanitation services.
Mushabe, S., Tibanyendera, B., Aharikundira, M. And Namukasa, L.
PRO-POORSOLUTIONSTOURBAN
WATERSUPPLYANDSANITATION:
THECASEOFKAMPALA
The largely poor residents of Kampala’s slums depend on
water from unhygienic sources such as rivers, ponds shallow
wells and springs. About 92 per cent of the city’s population
has access to improved water (UN-HABITAT 2010).
Access to adequate sanitation is very low in Kampala. It
is estimated that 8.4 per cent of the city’s households and
commercial buildings is connected to the sewer network
(ATPS undated). The majority of the city residents depend
on latrines, septic tanks and open systems for sanitation.
These disposal means are a major cause of pollution of
groundwater, the main freshwater source for the poor.
The city is rapidly expanding, bringing with it loss of arable
land to settlements, and degradation of essential ecosystems,
including wetlands and forests. Industrial activities such as
food processing and textiles are often blamed for pollution,
although this is not regularly monitored.
Kampala is located on hilly terrain at an altitude of about
1300 m above sea level. The city is on the north shore of Lake
Victoria, and has a tropical wet and dry climate. Many parts
of the city are vulnerable to frequent and severe flooding
(World Bank 2007, Businge and others 2010).
Jinja
Masaka
Mbarara
FortPortal
Bombo
Entebbe
Kabale
Lira
Gulu
Moroto
Soroti
Masindi
Mubende
Kamuli
Lothaa
Kasese
Namalu
Mbale
Iganga Tororo
Kapchorwa
Kotido
Kitgum
Kumi
Hoima
Ibanda
Kampala
RWANDA
Lake Victoria
Lake
Albert
Lake
Kwania
Lake
Kyoga
KENYA
SUDAN
KENYA
DEMOCRATIC
REPUBLIC OF
THE CONGO
TANZANIA