South Africa has had a policy of free basic services including water, electricity etc. In 2001 a tariff structure was suggested that included 6 cubic meters of free water per month for a family of five.
Eventually, pre-paid meters were introduced in Johannesburg, including Soweto, and in other cities as part of management contracts with private operators. With the use of the prepaid meters, water supply would be cut off above the 6 cubic meters monthly limit if no payment is made and this led to substantial protests among the poor.
In April 2008 the South African High Court found this practice unconstitutional, and wrote that denying the poor access to adequate water “is to deny them the rights to health and to lead a dignified lifestyle.” It was further stated that 25 liters per person per day is insufficient for the human consumption.
The Water policy in Uganda does not give provision for access to free water for basic needs. The use of standpipes was the major intervention to cater to the needs of the poor. Although this was the lowest cost, it was also found to be unaffordable by the poor in society. With the introduction of the pre-paid meters, the cost has greatly reduced by approximately 60%.
Taking Uganda as a case in point has prepared and approved in 2013 its Vision 2040. The overall objective of Vision 2040 is to transform Uganda from a peasant society to a modern prosperous country within 30 years.
This will involve changing from a predominantly low income to a competitive upper middle country within 30 years. It is envisaged that the country will graduate to the middle-income segment by 2017 and reach per capita of USD 9,500 by 2040. Sections 147-161 of the Vision focus on water resources and general and as well contain strategies regarding water supply and sanitation.
The Vision recognizes the importance of water as a critical natural resource and its potential to provide numerous opportunities which can foster socio-economic development. These opportunities include domestic water consumption. Under the Vision, water-related economic activities are expected to generate revenue for the country over the Vision period.
The writer, Rebecca Alowo is pursing a PHD at Central University of Technology, Free State South Africa.
