Achieving and sustaining equitable access to safe drinking water and sanitation services remain key challenges in many urban areas of low- and middle-income countries.
Across low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), the public institutions mandated to provide water and sanitation services in cities have limited financial capacity and/or capabilities to provide citywide coverage.
While there are many indications that the enabling environment for safely managed WASH in Uganda is improving, high-risk practices (open defecation, lack of hand hygiene, use of surface water) persist in rural regions.
While improved basic sanitation is crucial for community health and dignity, access to improved sanitation remains low in rural Uganda due to limited household ability to invest, few financing options, and inadequate supply chains.
Market-based sanitation approaches can help advance progress towards SDG 6.2 through household investment in desirable and affordable toilets delivered sustainably by private sector actors and supported by enabling government structures.