Mapping Facilities in Kampala

Improving access to water and sanitation facilities in the informal settlements of Kampala

Highlighting the issue of inadequate access to water and sanitation facilities in informal settlements in Kampala and how geospatial data can be used to address this challenge. This story demonstrates the value of data-driven solutions.

Introduction

Many people in Kampala’s informal settlements still lack access to safe drinking water and safely managed sanitation services, including the appropriate disposal of excreta. Despite government efforts, conditions have not come close to reaching international or national goals. Only 3 in 10 people have access to basic water supply and only 6% of the population have access to sanitation facilities ( Agence Française de Développement ). This inadequacy has led to severe outbreaks of fatal diseases like cholera, malaria and others, which has affected thousands of people in Kampala. Furthermore, women in these communities are the most affected by poor water and sanitation services. Since women take care of almost all households, they suffer the burden of collecting water from faraway places risking sexual and physical violence, especially at night.

Providing equitable access to safe water and sanitation facilities can reduce diarrhea by 35-40% and halve child mortality  (Pan American Health Organization) . Realizing this would require urban authorities and local NGOs to invest in adequate infrastructure to protect and restore water-related ecosystems. This in turn requires geospatial data of already existing facilities to prioritize the communities with the greatest needs. 

With this data, local authorities, community NGOs and city authorities are able to make evidence-based decisions relying on the availability of accessible, credible, and geographical data that is collected, disseminated and updated on a regular basis. These communities and other stakeholders can be able to address the sustainability challenge of inadequate access to water and sanitation facilities in informal settlements.

A map showing the target informal settlements in Nakawa division in Kampala city.

This project was set out to improve access to water and sanitation facilities in the informal settlements, contributing to SDGs 6 and 11. SDG 6 focuses on ensuring access to clean water and sanitation for all, while SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. These goals play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life for people around the world. This was achieved by collecting and updating the current geospatial data of Kinawataka and Naguru informal settlements in Kampala on OpenStreetMap. The project analyzes the geospatial data collected to determine the spatial distribution of water and sanitation facilities, share the results of the analysis with project stakeholders and to use GIS to determine areas where new facilities need to be established in these informal settlements.

Stakeholder Engagement

For possible collaboration and the creation of buy-in and support for the project activities, the project commenced with stakeholder meetings. These included settlement leaders, local NGOs and city leaders.

Furthermore, we engaged with community volunteers from the informal settlements  who were trained with the HOT (Humanitarian OpenStreetMap Team) Tasking Manager to equip them with digital skills and to make use of their local knowledge to contribute to the creation of data for their areas.

A field team from the communities was also trained in the different data collection tools such as ArcGIS Survey123 that aided the data collection activity.

They transversed their communities, collecting data about water and sanitation using the mobile data collection forms configured on their mobile devices.

They captured information such as the ownership of the facilities, the number of people using the facilities, their condition, geo coordinates, and geotagged photos of the facilities among others.

The participation of communities in the data collection ensures that the body of information generated is an accurate representation of the realities in their communities.

From the data collection exercise, we went on to perform quality assurance. This assures data integrity and enhances the validity of the results.  The tools used highlighted errors and enabled us to remove duplicates before the analysis.

Data Analysis

From computer mapping to spatial analysis and then to geographical problem solving, the geospatial data collected was analyzed using QGIS, ArcMap and ArcGIS Online to determine the spatial distribution of water and sanitation facilities. The analysis of the data enabled us to understand the inadequacy of the water and sanitation facilities in these settlements, highlighting high priority areas.

Data information products

Static Maps

Static maps illustrated the status and numbers of the public facilities which incorporated the landmarks of the communities. This was aimed for local leaders and communities to easily understand and identify the facilities in the maps.

Web Maps

Water and Sanitation facilities on Naguru and Kinawataka Informal settlements

Analysis Maps

Water & Sanitation Dashboard

With the advancement of dashboards, one is able to see all of this information online in a virtual format that is much easier to understand. This helps to streamline updates significantly.

Data Sharing

Results and findings from the data collection were shared with the different stakeholders that are responsible for decision-making and interventions in the communities in the informal settlements. The various stakeholders included the City Authorities, settlement leaders, and the Non-governmental organizations working in these areas. Sharing of the maps with the leaders and NGOs increases data access. These maps empower the informal sector by providing access to meaningful information and creating an informal ecosystem of support in their advocacy sessions to improve service delivery and ensure that residents have equal access to services.

We are honored to say that we created change through the data products we have shared with various stakeholders.

Construction of water facilities

From the data sharing process, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), the national agency in charge of distribution and water supply in urban-poor areas, agreed to support the project team to construct four water facilities in the most deprived areas in the settlements.

In addition, NWSC pledged to conduct repairs for the damaged water facilities in both settlements. From the data analysis, Naguru was the most deprived in terms of having access to water facilities. Kinawataka, on the other hand, had the highest number of damaged facilities. All this was possible because of the availability of information.

Conclusion

In conclusion, data plays a crucial role in promoting SDG 6 and SDG 11 by helping to identify the areas with the greatest needs for water and sanitation facilities and providing evidence to support decision-making and interventions. The use of data in these initiatives helps to create a fairer data future by empowering communities to collect and contribute their own data, and by ensuring that the data collected is an accurate representation of the realities in their communities. This approach helps to ensure that data systems serve everyone and help to empower people, rather than harming or excluding them. Therefore, data-driven initiatives should be prioritized to achieve the SDGs and promote sustainable development. Let us join hands, invest in data collection and analysis, and support initiatives that harness the power of data to create a better and more equitable world for all.

Thank you to our partners, Aspire Institute and OpenStreetMap Uganda.

The "Data Values Project" StoryMap series is a collaboration between SDSN SDGs Today and GPSDD. The   Data Values Project   aims to fill this big picture advocacy void by building a common agenda and leveraging the power of the   Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data  ’s broad network to push for change.

Contact information: Maria Gorret Nabuwembo |  mariegorret12@gmail.com  | +256755310335

Maria Nabuwembo, Solomon Kica, Ssali John, Nabyole Brenda, and SDGs Today

Partners: Aspire Institute and OpenStreetMap Uganda

A map showing the target informal settlements in Nakawa division in Kampala city.