The Practicability of Community-Driven Approaches for Water Accessibility in Mabuyemeru a Village, Burora Sub-County, Kagadi District

Abstract

This study on the practicability of community-driven approaches for water accessibility in Mabuyemeru A Village, Nyamukaikuru Parish, Burora Sub County in Kagadi District aimed to explore the community-driven approaches and their effectiveness for water accessibilityin Mabuyemeru A Village, and improving the overall quality of life in the community.A mixed methods approach was employed, combining qualitative and quantitative data on water sources and community involvement in water management. The findings highlighted the urgent need for improved clean water access and the importance of increasing community participation in water management practices.The target population included men, women, and children beginning with the age of 12 years, with a sample size of 197participants. The stakeholders included community members of Mabuyemeru a Village, community leaders and other relevant stakeholders including the Chairperson Local Council III of the Sub County. Various data collection methods such as community dialogue, focused group discussions, interviews, questionnaire survey and participatory observation were employed to gather information. The findings showedthe challenges faced in implementing the strategies for water accessibility included issues likelong distance 31.5%, skill and knowledge gaps (23.4%), inadequate financial resources (19.3%), inadequate infrastructure (15.7%), laziness of community members (5.6%) and limited access to funding and weak governance (4.6%).Based on these findings, recommendations were made to develop a community-driven framework, including community engagement and participatory planning financial sustainability, capacity building, continuous monitoring and evaluation and water conservation as the solutions to the challenges facing water accessibility in Mabuyemeru a Village. In conclusion, this research contributes to the ongoing efforts to improve water accessibility, and the growing literature on community-driven water management, providing valuable insights into the potential of local initiatives in improving water access and promoting sustainable water resource management in developing countries.