Mapping Facilities in 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.