The three-day International Congress and Exhibition of the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA ICE2025) has officially commenced in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, located in East Africa.
This 22nd Congress is being held at the Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort Hotel, with the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) serving as the host.
The event has drawn hundreds of delegates, including mayors and local authorities from cities across the African continent.
During his opening address, Kampala’s Lord Mayor, Erias Lukwago, emphasized the city’s Sanitation Transformation Plan, which is part of the Kampala Sanitation Improvement and Financing Strategy.
He discussed the challenges faced and the future vision aligned with various significant declarations, such as the N’GOR Declaration and the Cape Town Local Authorities’ Declaration.
Lukwago pointed out that while these ambitious declarations are made at AfWASA, they often encounter implementation hurdles at the sub-national government level.
He particularly noted the difficulties in adopting locally tailored systems for developing sanitation management infrastructure, as sewerage and sanitation issues have not been fully institutionalized, resulting in financial challenges.
He called for a shift away from dependence on donor support.
The AfWASA ICE2025 congress, spanning three days, is taking place in Kampala City, centered around the theme: “Invest in infrastructures to sustain the value chain towards safely managed sanitation for all.”
AfWASA, a professional association representing various establishments, enterprises, and utilities in the fields of drinking water, sanitation, and environmental management across Africa, boasts a membership of over 237, including 100 utilities from more than 40 African nations.
AfWASA ICE is organized by AfWASA to facilitate the sharing of ideas and the latest advancements in the water and sanitation sectors.
