Tetra Tech is promoting positive behaviors, building markets, and strengthening governance to increase access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in rural communities in Uganda.

Uganda remains one of the world’s poorest countries, with almost a quarter of the population living on less than USD$1.25 a day. Economic and human development in Uganda is inhibited by poor sanitary conditions at households, schools, and health centers, which cost the country the equivalent of USD$177 million per year in lost productivity and medical costs, according to The Water and Sanitation Program.

Tetra Tech is implementing the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Uganda Sanitation for Health Activity (USHA), which increases household access to WASH services; ensures that key hygiene behaviors are adopted at home, school, and health facilities; and strengthens district governance for sustainable services in 20 districts across Uganda. 

In Uganda, we are supporting an enabling business environment, investing in product design and supply chain development, and exploring financial instruments to address constraints for households and private investment. Through USHA, Tetra Tech has helped to develop and implement a national marketing strategy through a collective impact approach aimed at unlocking public, private, and household investment in sanitation products and services. 

USHA (2018-2023) aligns with the Government of Uganda’s development priorities to engage communities, local governments, and utilities. To address WASH needs at schools and primary health facilities, the USHA team works with teachers, parents, and student leaders and supports health facility hygiene audits and action planning in all intervention districts. The project also supports fecal sludge management (FSM) by building the capacities of FSM enterprises.

Over the life of the project, the USHA Activity expects to help 650,000 people gain access to basic sanitation and benefit up to 60,000 people with new or improved service quality from improved drinking water sources.