|
 |
|
|
|
In the Press |
Uganda Hosts the 15th African Water Congress.
(The New Vision, Wednesday, 17 March, 2010)
By Juliet Waiswa and John Kasozi
Uganda is hosting the 15th African International Water Congress this year. The congress is organised by the Ministry of Water and Environment (MoWE) on behalf of the Government of Uganda, in association with the African Water Association (AfWA).
The local host utility is National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), whose managing director, Dr. William Muhairwe, is the current Vice President of AfWA.
The congress under the theme: Water and Sanitation: Perspectives and Challenges. It if aimed at finding solutions posed by energy and climate change to water, its safety and availability. is focusing on discussing issues.
The International Water Congress comes at a crucial moment when many African nations are striving to meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). While opening the Congress at the Commonwealth Speke Resort Munyonyo, President Yoweri Museveni called upon countries in the Great lakes region to guard against destruction of wetlands and forests in order to stem spreading of the desert.
Museveni also said abundant water generated by the ecosystem would help to generate hydro-electric power for industries, and help reduce the cost of doing business.
He added that wetlands and forests contribute up to 40% of the rains received in Uganda and 60% of the rain making process comes from the oceans and seas around east Africa.
“Protecting wetlands in Uganda, Southern Sudan, Burundi , Rwanda, Tanzania and Kenya are crucial for this part of Africa,” Museveni said.
The conference, which started March 15 and ends on March 18, has attracted ministers from Swaziland and Egypt, more than 4,011 organisations, 1340 delegates from a total of 64 countries, according to Dr. Muhairwe.
The President of the AfWA, Mamadou Dia said the war against poverty cannot be won if water and sanitation issues are not addressed, he told participants to address matters of energy crises, climate change and best practices to ensure that most African have access to safe water and sanitation services.
He also called for fighting climate change, adding that a UNDP report had noted decreasing water will lead to more drought.
Dia said the theme for the congress was chosen in light of the need to contextualise the African Water and Sanitation challenges to the global climatic change. AfWA is a network of more than 80 water utilities from over 35 African countries.
As part of its activities to enhance the sharing of experiences and recent developments, it holds a Water Congress every two years in one member country.
Considering that the issues of climate change are increasingly threatening efforts by water sector managers and policy makers to improve and extend services, the congress will brainstorm on these emerging challenges, with a view of formulating policy actions and orientations.
The congress has bought together renowned African and international experts and leaders to discuss water and sanitation challenges facing the continent, particularly in the fields of water management, sanitation, climate change and energy.
Mutagmbwa said the congress will specifically look at water and sanitation service delivery, namely efficient management, investment financing, research and capacity building.
This AfWA will coincide with the official commissioning of a newly constructed water academy in Bugolobi. Exhibitors from across the world are also show-casing the latest innovations in the water and sanitation sector. |
|
|
|
| |
| |
Copyright © 2008, National Water & Sewerage Corporation | Plot 39, Jinja Road, P.O. Box 7053 Kampala, Uganda
Tel: (+) 256 414 315100 / 0312 260 414/5, Fax: (+) 256 414 258 299 / 345 531, E-mail: info@nwsc.co.ug |
|
|
