Uganda Joins African Leaders to Tackle Water, Sanitation & Climate Crisis at Madrid Summit
Kampala / Madrid
As climate-linked weather extremes intensify across Africa, Uganda has committed to playing a stronger role in the continental push for sustainable water, sanitation, and climate resilience. At the forthcoming Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM) in Madrid on 22–23 October 2025, Uganda will join more than 60 countries in charting cross-sectoral strategies under the theme “Breaking Silos: Uniting Political Leadership to Integrate Water, Sanitation and Climate Action.”
Uganda’s delegation will be led by Dr. Alfred Okot Okidi, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Water and Environment. The delegation will include key representatives across water, environment and finance sectors, prepared to advocate for stronger linkages between sanitation infrastructure, water access, and climate adaptation.
Urgency at Home
Despite progress in recent years, the country still faces stark gaps: nearly 8 million Ugandans lack access to safe drinking water, and over 20 million live without improved sanitation facilities, according to official estimates.
Extreme weather events — flooding, droughts, erratic rainfall — are stressing water systems, particularly in rural and urban informal settlements. Experts warn that fragmentation across ministries and lack of coherence between water, sanitation, and climate policies hinder holistic planning.
What Uganda Must Push For
At the Madrid meeting, Uganda aims to collaborate on:
Integrated planning frameworks that cut across water, environment, health, and finance ministries
Climate-resilient infrastructure: sanitation and water systems built to withstand floods, droughts, and shifting weather
Innovative financing: tapping blended finance, private partnerships, and donor support
Capacity building for local governments and marginalized communities
Dr. Okidi is expected to call for regional coordination on transboundary waters, equitable resource allocation, and technology sharing among African states.
Implications & Significance
Participation signals Uganda’s commitment to being part of continental climate leadership. It also positions the country to leverage new investments and partnerships in water and sanitation — sectors critical to health, poverty reduction, and local resilience.
If Uganda’s proposals gain traction, it could catalyze new funding flows and project pipelines. But success depends on follow-up, strong national alignment, and the ability to mobilize resources at scale.
