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A New Impetus for Water Stewardship: The Evolution and Governance of LuWSI’s Multistakeholder Partnership

The LuWSI Case Study Workshop

Collaborating for Change: The Organizational Structure of LuWSI

LuWSI is a multistakeholder collaboration platform that brings together public sector, private sector, civil society, and development organizations to work towards achieving water security for the residents and businesses of Lusaka. The partnership engages in dialogue, leadership, analysis, knowledge generation, advocacy, and awareness-raising to plan and develop projects for a healthy and prosperous city of Lusaka.

Official Launch and MoU Signing Ceremony of the Lusaka Water Security Initiative

Growing Together: The Evolution and Governance of LuWSI’s Multistakeholder Partnership

With support from GIZ’s International Water Stewardship Programme (now NatuReS) in 2016, LuWSI has grown from 16 to over 33 partners who collaborate through the platform. LuWSI partners are bound by an MOU signed by the leadership of each organization. The partnership is governed by a Steering Board responsible for overall decision-making. The Technical Committees are responsible for knowledge, advocacy, projects, collaboration, resourcing, and membership. LuWSI’s administrative body is the secretariat, which coordinates the day-to-day affairs of the partnership. The secretariat has two full-time staff and has been housed at the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO) since 2018, one of the founding partners of LuWSI.

Importance of Formalizing the Partnership

LuWSI is a novel multistakeholder partnership for natural resources stewardship in Lusaka. Formalization is vital for its functionality and sustainability. It establishes the partnership as a legal entity, inspiring confidence and conferring legitimacy. Formalization also enables the partnership to manage funds and provide job security for its employees.

Voices of Water Stewardship: LuWSI Partners Share Their Perspectives

The Journey Towards Formalization


In 2017, The Nature Conservancy (TNC) supported a study to assess various options for formalizing the LuWSI partnership. The study evaluated formalization as a trust, a private company limited by shares, a private company limited by guarantee, an association, a non-governmental organization, and a water users association. After careful evaluation, the most viable option was to legalize the partnership as a company limited by guarantee. However, private sector companies and government institutions expressed skepticism, as it was not yet clear what the legal and administrative implications were for each organization that had joined the partnership at that time.

The partnership initially postponed the decision until 2021. In that year, the National Water Supply and Sanitation Council (NWASCO), Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC), Zambian Breweries (ZB), and Coca-Cola Beverages Zambia (CCBZ) renewed their efforts to formalize the partnership. These institutions conducted a detailed legal analysis with implications, which alleviated concerns about formalizing the partnership as a company limited by guarantee. This option was deemed the most suitable for LuWSI, as it would enable the partnership to subsist as a well-defined independent legal entity that operates in the best interests of its objectives. It entails stringent fiduciary reporting requirements that are beneficial for accountability, is tax exempt, allows for ease of entry and exit of new members without property transfer, and is not affected by changes in membership, guarantors, and directors. The LuWSI Steering Board reached consensus on this option, and the LuWSI secretariat began registration formalities, resulting in the formalization of the partnership in December 2022.

What Next?

With this new impetus and momentum, the partnership is actively seeking to increase resource mobilization to ensure the functionality of the secretariat and effective coordination of stakeholder engagements and projects. A Partnership wide workshop is scheduled for May 2023 to discuss the prioritisation of activities for the year and resourcing strategies.

Author: Sonile Mutafya, NatuReS Advisor Zambia

The Kampala Lake Victoria Clean-up & Circular Economy Project

Providing hope for the future of Lake Victoria’s ecosystem and economic potential

Lake Victoria, the largest lake in Africa, is of tremendous importance to the ecosystem and the population in Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area, providing water for both domestic and industrial use.

Lake Victoria
Copyright: GIZ/Jesper Anhede
Lake Victoria is Africa’s largest freshwater lake.

However, plastic waste pollution has become a significant problem in the region. This pollution affects the lake’s biodiversity, water quality, and the availability of fish. Promoting recycling and waste reduction, as well as implementing effective waste management systems, are necessary measures to address plastic waste pollution in Lake Victoria.

Plastic pollution lake Victoria
Copyright: GIZ
Lake Victoria and its surroundings are increasingly polluted, particularly with plastic waste.

Cleaning up Lake Victoria

To address the urgent need to sustain the ecosystem and economic benefits of Lake Victoria, the Greater Kampala Plastic Recycling Partnership, accompanied by the GIZ-Natural Resources Stewardship Programme (NatuReS), is supporting the Kampala Lake Victoria Clean-up & Circular Economy (KVCC) Project. The overall objective of the partnership is to improve the sustainable management of plastic waste in Greater Kampala through developing an inclusive green recycling sector.

The KVCC project contributes to both removing litter from two heavily polluted bays, namely Murchison and Nakiwogo Bays in Lake Victoria, as well as tributaries such as the Nakivubo channel in the urban area of Kampala.

Copyright: Uganda Junior Rangers
The Kampala Lake Victoria Clean-up & Circular Economy (KVCC) Project in action.

Implementing this project are the NGO One-Earth-One-Ocean (OEOO), which specialises in marine litter prevention and removal, and the Uganda Junior Rangers (UJR), a local environmental conservation non-profit organization that promotes a culture of environmental and heritage stewardship through volunteer and educational opportunities.

By removing waste from the lake and its tributaries, the project aims to prevent further damage to the lake ecosystem and ensure its economic sustainability. The KVCC project also seeks to promote plastic waste recycling and encourage the development of efficient local resource recycle systems that enables the re-introduction of plastic waste into the economy, adding value to waste and providing a source of income to the local communities around the lake.

120 tons of waste collected from Lake Victoria

As a result of the lake clean-ups under the KVCC Project, 120 tons of waste have been collected from in and around the lake by local volunteers. The NGOs have also constructed a catamaran, equipped with nets to collect the floating plastic waste on the lake, under the project.

Copyright: Uganda Junior Rangers
Before (above) and after a cleanup activity in and along a Lake Victoria water Channel.

Strengthening and development of efficient circular economy systems

Aside from collecting plastic waste, one of the project priorities is to support and strengthen the development of local recycling in the lake’s surrounding communities. Sorting zones known as base camps were established as part of the project to enable the sorting, cleaning, and transportation of collected plastic waste for further processing. To aid in the development of an efficient recycling system, the project ensured that the local community partner received two TukTuks for waste transportation, a catamaran for waste collection on the water, and a compactor with a matching generator for waste compression. The goal is to increase their capacity to earn from the plastic recycling value chain while also demonstrating responsibility for the management of the lake’s natural resources.

Recycling Uganda
Copyright: UJR
Collected plastic waste loaded on Tuks Tuks to be transported for further processing.

Creating awareness for sustainability among the local population

Additionally, to pursue a long-term mindset change that allows for the control of plastic pollution and the societal adoption of the circular economy concept, it is critical to raise awareness for recycling and enable the appreciation of waste as a potential source of income for local communities. Communities, including fishermen, have gained knowledge about plastic waste management as a result of the project.

Fishermen Community
Copyright: UJR
A fishermen community group after training on fishing gear pollution.

Furthermore, environmental education campaigns have been carried out in schools under the project. Partners have established an educational program to ensure that pupils learn more about waste disposal and, as a result, become good environmental stewards. The project recognizes that to stimulate long-lasting change, special attention must be paid to developing young people’s mindsets.

School environmental campaign
Copyright: UJR
Pupils during an education session on waste handling.

One Earth One Ocean and the Uganda Junior Rangers have demonstrated which significant impact could be achieved if cleaning up the lake was prioritized and pilot activities under the KVCC project were upscaled. NatuReS aims to support impactful interventions that create long-term ecosystem and economic resilience through supporting partnerships for natural resource management, increasing knowledge, and institutionalizing good practices such as those demonstrated by cleaning up Lake Victoria.

Rainwater Harvesting Facilities for improved urban resilience to flooding in Greater Kampala

Kampala city, Uganda’s capital, is experiencing recurring flash floods. One reason for this is the rapid urbanization which has led to an increase in impervious surfaces. This in turn results in accelerated runoff water, which the existing drainage system can no longer cope with. The often devastating flash floods represent a constant threat to human life and the city’s economy.

C/ Actogether
Flooding in Nalukolongo, part of the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

A Partnership to Promote Joint Solutions: Blue-Green Infrastructure

To increase flood resilience, stakeholders from the public sector, private companies and civil society formed the Greater Kampala Integrated Flood Resilience Partnership in 2021. Partners include the Ministry of Water and Environment, Kampala Capital City Authority, Uganda Manufacturers Association, Britannia Industries Ltd., and the local NGO ACTogether.

One of the  partnership’s goals is to promote investments in blue-green infrastructure solutions in two areas of Kampala, namely Nalukolongo and Kinawataka. Blue-green infrastructure means utilising the benefits of urban green spaces and naturalised water-flows. Examples include green roofs, retention ponds, bioswales, rain gardens and rainwater harvesting systems.

c/ GIZ
Partners of the GKIFR partnership during a partnership retreat.

Rainwater harvesting as impactful measure against floods

One of the blue-green interventions identified under the partnership is scaling up rainwater harvesting, to reduce pressure on the existing stormwater drainage infrastructure in Kampala. Rainwater harvesting entails capturing runoff from the roof of a building or from open spaces and channelling it into storage structures. These structures are above or below ground for reuse or slow release. The harvested water can be used for cleaning, washing, irrigation, or as process water.

Partners have identified seven public sites where rainwater harvesting is piloted. This should motivate other stakeholders to follow suit and achieve an impactful large-scale investments. Selected sites include: Kitebi Primary School, Lubiri Secondary School, Kitebi Secondary School, Nakawa Market, Usafi Market, Nateete Market, and Kampala City Abattoir.

c/ GIZ
Two of the eight constructed rainwater harvesting tanks at Kitebi Secondary School

Launching rainwater harvesting facilities

With most of the construction completed, partners, spearheaded by Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), officially commissioned the facilities on 18th of April 2023 at Kitebi Secondary School in Lubaga Division, Nalukolongo. The event was presided by the Executive Director of KCCA, Mrs. Dorothy Kisaka, and the Team Leader of the European Union, Mr. Lennart Deridder. Several invited guests and dignitaries attended, including the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Resident City Commissioner for Kampala, the Mayor for Lubaga Division, as well as the KCCA Directors for Public Health and Education services. Next to partnership members of the Greater Kampala Integrated Flood Resilience Partnership, board of governors for Kitebi Secondary school, management and staff of Kitebi secondary and primary schools, as well as local community leaders participated. Finally, the GIZ Head of Global Programs, Dr. Elke Siehl, assisted the ceremony.

Flood resilience is essential part of a prosperous city

During the commissioning ceremony, KCCA Executive Director Dorothy Kisaka emphasized that flood resilience is one of the key elements of an inclusive, resilient, and well-planned city that provides economic opportunities for all. She also stated that rainwater harvesting should be implemented at all large public buildings, such as schools, shopping malls, and markets.

At Kitebi Secondary School, eight rainwater harvesting tanks were constructed with a capacity of 10.000 litres each. Through this support, the water needs of over 4.000 students will be covered and the risk of flooding in the area will be reduced. Furthermore, through landscaping, the uneven, rocky compound next to the school was turned into an even football pitch  to enhance stormwater infiltration. The other six  identified sites received four to five rainwater harvesting tanks with a capacity of 10.000 litres each. At Kitebi Primary School, additional re-greening and landscaping interventions reduce the risk of flooding.

c/ GIZ
Group photo of invited guests and dignitaries, as well as pupils of Kitebi Secondary School, during the rainwater harvesting commissioning ceremony.
 

Through collaborative action under the partnership, blue-green infrastructure solutions, such as rainwater harvesting facilities, have been emphasized as an essential step towards a more sustainable and flood resilient future for the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

Sharing Insights on Stewardship Partnerships at the Climate Smart Agriculture Policy Dialogue in South Africa

From 13-15 March 2023, stakeholders from the public sector, representatives of regional economic communities (RECs), academic and research institutions, the scientific community, and civil society gathered to share knowledge, and experience in the “Climate Smart Agriculture Policy Dialogue, transitioning to resilient farming in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).”  

At the conference, our NatuReS colleague, Aristarick Mkenda, shared insights from stewardship partnerships in the Pangani Basin in Tanzania. The dialogue was convened by the Transforming Smallholder Irrigation in Southern Africa (TISA) consortium in collaboration with the Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN) at the University of Pretoria’s Future Africa Campus in Pretoria, South Africa. The conference theme was “Transitioning to Climate-Resilient Farming Systems in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA),” focusing on the next generation of research, smart technology, policy development and best practices.

The Climate Smart Agriculture Policy Dialogue Goals:

The Policy Dialogue aimed to accomplish the following: 

  • Share data demonstrating the value of climate-smart farming in SSA’s transition to resilient farming communities. 
  • Provide suggestions on how to scale up the development of climate-smart and resilient farming systems in SSA. 
  • Networking and encouraging collaborations and action 

Social inclusion in the context of agriculture and food systems, water resources use, and climate action, was one of the conference’s important sub-themes. Communities, women and youths crucially contribute to agriculture and SSA catchments as farmers, workers and entrepreneurs.  Depending on the regions, these groups face distinct constraints that reduce their productivity and limit their contributions to agricultural production, family livelihoods, and economic growth. As a result, the importance of context-sensitive and inclusive approaches to support them was emphasized. 

Presentation on: Addressing Water Security through Water Stewardship Partnerships. Experiences from the Pangani Basin in Tanzania

NatuReS colleague Aristarick Mkenda shared perspectives on stewardship partnerships as a possible solution to increase effective stakeholder participation and representation to address shared challenges in water-stressed catchments. Sustainable and participatory water management, thereby, is fundamental to sustainable agriculture. His presentation was based on his co-authored scientific article (Richards et al., 2022) for the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) that analysed the partnership approach as a solution for inclusive participation. The partnerships facilitated by NatuReS in the Pangani River Basin in Tanzania served as empirical data. 

Stewardship partnerships answer other IWRM implementation gaps. For example, additional financing from private sector partners can overcome the need for more funds to implement projects. 

A productive discussion with the participants followed the presentation, in which challenges and their possible solutions of stewardship partnerships were discussed, such as costs of participation and balanced involvement of the private sector.  

Collaboration to Address the Growing Complexity in the Agricultural Sector

In the concluding remarks of the conferences, Prof. Jammie Pittock from Australian National University (ANU) highlighted that the objectives in the agricultural sector have become much more complicated since they have grown from simply producing food to cover diverse societal needs and adapting to climate variability. The complexity of the issues and topics in agriculture is making collaborations and partnerships between individuals and sectors more important now than ever.  

We thank the “Climate Smart Agriculture Policy Dialogue” and its inspiring participants for the invitation and the productive conference days and are looking forward to more valuable exchanges. 

For more information about addressing water security through water stewardship partnerships, you can access the research article here