COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION AND SUSTAINABILITY OF WATER FOR PRODUCTION FACILITIES IN RAKAI DISTRICT, UGANDA

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of community participation on sustainability of water for production facilities. Literature reviewed suggests that community participation indeed has an impact on the sustainability of water for production facilities. The study attracted a total of 158 respondents (83% response rate), providing qualitative and quantitative information to the study. The results revealed that community planning only has a mild positive but insignificant effect on sustainability of water for production facilities, while community implementation was revealed to have a moderate positive significant effect on sustainability of water for production facilities. Community participation in facility management was shown to have a strong positive significant effect on sustainability of water for production. Overall Community Participation was found to have a significant positive effect on sustainability of WfP facilities. The study recommended that the Government of Uganda through MWE should reconsider providing more funds, at the start of the facility, in order to curb problems to do with funding, but gradually introduce economic activities like fishing and farming to generate O&M revenue in order to ensure sustainability of water for production facilities. It was further recommended that MWE should take lead in sensitizing and encouraging the community members on their obligations to sustainably manage the water for production facilities, but should also ensure that community responsive technologies are identified at project planning phase