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This study sought to investigate the role of Water user Associations (WUAs) in management of water uses conflicts in Ilonga sub-catchment at Kilosa district in Morogoro region. Specific objectives for this study include, characterize different water sources in Ilonga sub-catchment, determining the types and level of conflicts among water users before and after the formulation of WUAs in Ilonga sub- catchment, determining the role of WUAs in management of water uses conflicts in Ilonga sub-catchment, and identifying the challenges and opportunities of WUAs in managing water uses conflicts in Ilonga sub-catchment. This study employed cross-sectional research design. The targeted population includes Wami- Ruvu basin water officer, village leaders, and irrigators, pastoralists and agro-pastorarists from Ilonga sub-catchment. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, FGD, and documentary reviews. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed, whereby for quantitative data analysis was conducted by using descriptive statistics while for the qualitative data were analyzed by using thematic analysis approach. The findings revealed that in Ilonga sub-catchment there are various water sources that are used for irrigation, pastoralism and agro-pastoralism. The findings also observed that, WUAs played significant roles in managing water uses conflicts by applying a number of techniques such as setting up meeting with dispute parties, ensuring that there is even distribution of water among water users in Ilonga sub-catchment to ensure that the water uses conflicts are minimized if not eliminated. The results also indicate that, the level of water uses conflicts were high before the formations of WUAs as compared to after the formation of WUAs. Furthermore, the study identified that WUAs face different challenges that hinder them from being able to perform their roles properly. In case of opportunities, WUAs act as a platform through which the community member can express their challenges pertaining to water uses. The study recommended that the government should give more priority to the WUAs by empowering and supporting them in their day-to-day activities in managing the sub-catchment. In case of WUAs, they should come with new methods or techniques to get the community participation and cooperation in the management of the water uses conflicts in Ilonga Sub-catchment. Also, the Government should provide support towards WUAs. |
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