| dc.description.abstract | Access to clean and safe water is vital for human survival and good health. It‟s one of the ways to reduce death and increase human productivity. Conversely, consumption of unsafe water cause diseases and in most cases leads to death. Shortage and scarcity of water means that the slum dwellers to have be charged exorbitant prices which implies that they remain captive in the pool of poverty. Inadequate supply and unreliability for safe water pose as real challenge in Uganda and in particular in the informal settlements. Even though the Ugandan government has made a stride in water reforms, the poor and slum dwellers remain unsupplied with adequate water which implies that they continue to face a myriad challenges as far as access to safe water is concerned. This study was set to investigate access to household water supply in Kisenyi informal settlement in Mbarara Municipality, Uganda. Simple random sampling was used to sample 200 households in Kisenyi slum. The study exploited triangulation method to collect data in relationship to research objectives under the study. The study also gathered further information from key informants who included National Water and Sewerage Corporation officials and water vendors. The quantitative data was analyzed using cross-tabulations whereas qualitative was subjected to content analysis. The study revealed that NWSC had extended water supply in the area. Water was accessible through stand pipes (75.5%) and water kiosks (18%), which had minimized residents‟ reliance on unprotected water sources. The study also indicated that residents spent less time and covered less distance to fetch water since 53 percent had water on plot; the price per 20 liter jerry can was still relatively high at 100UGSH and above which led to low quantity of water consumed per household. The study further revealed that some challenges are still being faced which include among others: low quantities consumed per household, water rationing, unreliable water supply and illegal connections. To overcome the challenges the residents have come up with coping strategies towards water scarcity which include:- storage water in containers (37.8%),purchasing water from vendors(20.1%), fetching water from bore holes, rivers and spring wells (16.8%),begging water from neighbors (5%) and efficient use of water ( 5%). The study recomends that pro-poor strategies which was piloted in Kampalas informal settlements need to be replicated in other informal settlement of intermediate urban centers. | en_US |
