Kampala — Donors have committed over $94m (about sh180b) in the next five years to improve the water, sanitation and environment sectors.

This was revealed yesterday by the Danish ambassador, Nathalia Feinberg, during a press conference at the Media Centre.

Feinberg was representing the sector's development partners.

She thanked the ministry of water and environment for having improved water coverage to more than 1 million people.

Feinberg, however, said shortage of funding had made it difficult to attain the targeted 77% national coverage.

"The Government and development partners will have to operate and maintain water facilities. This is very important in improving efficiency," she said.

Denmark, Feinberg added, would increase funding to address the effects of climate change and help in the reduction of green gas emissions.

World Bank senior environment specialist Martin Fodor said in the last 17 years, Uganda has lost 27% of its forest cover.

"In three to five years, mature trees will run out, threatening the forest reserves. About 90% of the people depend on wood, yet Uganda spends 0.56% on replenishing its environment and natural resource," he said.

Speaking about the review of the water and environment sector taking place at the Commonwealth Resort Munyonyo, water and environment state minister Maria Mutagamba said the meeting would provide a forum for performance assessment and policy guidance in developing the sector.

She said progress had been made in the provision of water, now standing at 65% in rural areas and 66% in urban areas.

Latrine coverage in rural areas, she added, also increased from 62% to 68% which is the highest since 1997.

"This is mainly due to the enforcement of bylaws at district levels, as well as other sanitation promotion activities carried out throughout the country. In urban areas, 73% of households have access to toilets," Mutagamba said.

She lamented the loss of forest cover, landslides, pollution of water bodies and loss of wetlands.

At the present rate of deforestation, Uganda is likely to be importing wood by 2020, Mutagamba said.