Kampala, Uganda – June 10, 2025 — Uganda’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector has entered a new digital era following the relaunch of an upgraded WASH Resource Centre, now powered by artificial intelligence (AI) to revolutionise knowledge-sharing, coordination, and evidence-based decision-making.
In a significant step toward digital transformation, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the WASH sector, in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment, unveiled the newly redesigned platform during a high-level launch at Hotel Africana in Kampala.
Unlike its previous version, the new WASH Resource Centre — now live at www.washuganda.org — is equipped with intelligent data integration features and user-friendly tools that allow organisations to easily share reports, track sector-wide developments, and avoid duplicated efforts.
“With funds from Water For People, we’ve redesigned this platform not just to store data, but to help the sector think smarter and act faster,” said Simon Peter Sekuma, Executive Director of Network for Water and Sanitation (NETWAS), which will host the platform in collaboration with the Water Resources Institute (WRI). “The integration of AI means we can now automatically analyse trends, consolidate real-time data, and inform better planning and resource allocation.”
Sekuma noted that for years, fragmented efforts and poor information flow have hindered impact across the WASH sector. The revamped platform, he explained, now acts as a digital hub where all stakeholders — from NGOs to government and academia — can contribute, access, and use verified data.
“This is about ending the siloed approach. We now have a central brain that learns, connects dots, and helps all of us make more informed, coordinated decisions,” he said.
“You cannot lobby for more funding without credible data,” Sekuma emphasized. “This platform is not just for storing reports — it’s a tool to back your demands with facts and evidence, such as identifying districts with critical water access issues.”
Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner at the Ministry of Water and Environment, praised the digital upgrade, adding that better data integration would strengthen government planning and accountability.
“We already collect large volumes of data — from boreholes to wetlands. What we need is consistency and convergence. With tools like this, we can harmonise all data sources and influence policy from a position of evidence,” he said.
Eng. Sam Mutono, Head of the Sanitation Working Group, highlighted how the platform could close long-standing knowledge gaps within the sector.
“We’ve lost out on so many opportunities due to poor information flow. Many organisations are still hesitant to share their data. But if we want to grow as a sector, we must embrace transparency and collaboration,” he said.
With its user-friendly interface and AI-backed engine, the platform offers tools for filtering data by region, sector, or project type — making it easier for organisations to align their efforts and learn from one another.
Sekuma concluded by encouraging all WASH actors to actively use the platform and feed it with updated, quality information.
“This platform is only as powerful as the data we put into it. If we all contribute, then we all benefit.”
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Key Features of the New Platform:
AI-powered data consolidation from multiple sources
Real-time dashboards and project tracking
Repository for research papers, reports, policies, and training resources
Open access for all WASH sector stakeholders
For more information or to access the platform, visit www.washuganda.org.
