Enhancing Water Governance Through Decentralized Decision-Making: A Policy Review from Uganda's District WASH Planning Frameworks

Uganda has embraced decentralization as a strategy to improve service delivery and promote participatory governance. In the water sector, district-level Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) planning has become a critical tool for achieving equitable and sustainable water access. However, gaps in coordination, capacity, and financing continue to undermine the effectiveness of decentralized governance. This paper examines Uganda’s WASH planning frameworks at the district level, identifies systemic challenges, and proposes policy and institutional reforms to improve governance, accountability, and community engagement in the water sector.