Water quality in Kampala, Uganda is frequently affected by contamination from various sources such as industrial effluents and improper sanitation practices. A mixed-methods approach was employed including a survey targeting 500 randomly selected community residents and qualitative interviews with 20 app users. Data analysis involved both quantitative statistical methods and thematic content analysis. Among the surveyed participants, 67% expressed interest in using water quality monitoring apps, particularly for real-time alerts about potential contamination. Despite initial enthusiasm, continued engagement was hindered by factors such as app functionality issues and lack of awareness about the importance of maintaining safe drinking water sources. Developers should enhance app user interfaces to improve accessibility and incorporate more interactive features. Community health workers can play a crucial role in educating residents about the benefits of using these apps for better water quality management.
Kizza et al. (Tue,) studied this question.