news 26 June 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
UNICEF urges Uganda to implement WASH policies effectively
UNICEF Country Representative Dr. Robin Nandy has called on Uganda to move beyond policy on paper and ensure that water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems are functional in schools and health facilities. He stressed that poor WASH practices are a significant driver of child mortality and hinder educational progress, particularly for girls. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/unicef-chief-to-uganda-put-wash-policies-into-practice-not-just-on-paper-5509640
Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF Representative to Uganda, has urged the nation to prioritize the practical implementation of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) policies. Speaking at a high-level dialogue in Kampala, Dr. Nandy highlighted that while policies exist, many WASH systems in schools and health facilities are currently non-functional, particularly in the southwest and northwest regions of the country.
Dr. Nandy emphasized that the impact of poor WASH extends beyond visible outbreaks like Ebola. He pointed out that common diseases such as diarrhea and respiratory infections are major killers of children in Africa and require consistent attention. “We need to make sure as part of health preparedness, health facilities, schools, and communities in high-risk areas have access to water, sanitation and practice good hygiene,” he stated.
The criticality of WASH in education was also underscored. Dr. Nandy explained that inadequate WASH facilities, especially those for menstrual hygiene management, contribute to school absenteeism among girls, ultimately affecting their academic performance. “WASH is a huge factor that improves school performance and outcomes,” he remarked.
He observed that infrastructure alone is insufficient. “It’s a combination of aspects like infrastructure, human behaviour, accountability and ownership,” Dr. Nandy noted, having witnessed broken-down WASH systems in facilities that were initially well-constructed but lacked operational and maintenance mechanisms. He called for parental-teacher associations and local governments to allocate budgets for the upkeep of these essential services.
Minister of State for Water, Aisha Sekindi, acknowledged the significant challenges, citing aging water systems in urban areas and approximately 15 percent of rural water sources being non-functional. Commissioner for Water Resources Planning, Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, pointed to population growth, environmental degradation, climate change, and migration as factors straining resources, necessitating increased partnerships, especially with the private sector.
Uganda is currently implementing its WASH National Climate Adaptation Plan 2026-2030, aiming to bolster climate-resilient WASH systems in vulnerable districts. This initiative is a joint effort between the Ministry of Water and Environment and UNICEF.