The Church Helps Bring Clean Water and Facilities to Rural Uganda

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Safe drinking water and sanitary wash facilities are essential to sustain life and health, yet many adults and children throughout rural areas in Uganda have access to neither.  Recently, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints partnered with UNICEF and others to help alleviate this problem. 

In 2024, the Church provided a one-year grant of $300,000 to the International Water and Sanitation Centre Uganda (IRC) to support implementations of selected WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure. 

In Kabarole, the IRC, in partnership with Kabarole District local government, completed Phase I and Phase II of Buhara Piped Water Scheme. These civil works included transmission, storage and water quality infrastructure, as well as five Public Stand Posts and ten Household connections which were completed by April 2025.  

In Bunyangabu, four sanitation facilities were constructed for: Kibiito Primary School, Ruboona Primary School, Kabonero Health Center III, and Kibate Health Center III.

On 30 September 2025 a formal handover ceremony was held involving the Church, the IRC, local government and community leaders, as well as school children and community members. 

The Church was represented by Elder Fredrick Kamya, Area Seventy; Denis Mukasa, Regional Humanitarian Services Manager, Africa Central Area; and Dinah Mbawaire National Communication Director.  

IRC Uganda was represented by Mrs. Jane Nabunnya Mulumba, IRC Uganda Country Director; Wilbrord Turimaso, WASH Programs Coordinator; Martin Watsisi, Regional WASH Advisor; and Ayoreka Mary Concepta, Regional WASH Officer.

The Chairperson of the Kabarole district local government, Honorable Richard Rwabuhinga, expressed appreciation for the trusted partnership between the District and the IRC in improving WASH services, guided by the district WASH master plan.  He estimated that since the launch of the master plan in 2018, access to a safe water supply in the district had increased from 65% to 77% and could go to 80% after completion of the Buhara water supply infrastructure.  

He also expressed great appreciation for the generous contribution of the Church which enabled the district to accelerate implementation of the Buhara water project.

The handover started with a visit to the 80,000-liter tank on Magunga Hill in Bwanika, then the team had stopovers at two public tap stands to test the systems performance at the water point, and to also interact with the community. 

They also visited Rubona Primary School, where they were welcomed with enthusiasm by children performing traditional dances, songs, and poems.  This school has a vibrant WASH health club.  The “WASH Angels” in this program not only teach WASH principles in the school but also branch out to the neighboring community, teaching through music, dance, and drama.

The school administration expressed gratitude toward the Church and IRC for, what they termed, “a rescue from a very difficult situation”, requiring the rationing of toilet use during breaks. Speaking of the difficulties the school faced prior to the completion of the new facilities it was explained, “Before the construction of the new washrooms, we were getting large numbers of students lining up to use the washrooms in the morning break time and lunch time.  That is why we had an intervention of getting a teacher to separate those who were badly off from those who weren’t.  But now, we don’t have that burden.”

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Community leaders, represented by the local council chairpersons, also greatly appreciated the gift of safe water and expressed hope that this will reduce the menace of bilharzia and other waterborne diseases, and spur development for the locale as well. 

Mr. James Ategeka, district chairperson of the Bunyangabu District remarked, “In the schools where water and sanitation facilities have improved, the enrollment has increased, and the performance has improved.  Thank you so much for the good work and support you have rendered to the people of Bunyangabu District”.

In her remarks, Mrs. Mulumba urged students to “Please stay in school.” Explaining, “That latrine is not just a symbol of cleanliness and sanitation; it is also a symbol begging you to stay in school.  Sanitation has always been a private thing.  You have the facilities.  Stay clean, shower, take care of your uniforms and stay in school.  Use the latrine very well.  Go back home and teach your parents and families about cleanliness and sanitation.” 

In representing the Church, Elder Kamya taught, “The name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and Jesus Christ, as head of the Church, while on earth taught that the new commandment I give you is love one another, so when we come with whatever humble contribution we make, it’s about love.  The second commandment He gave was about loving our neighbors as ourselves.  This is all about loving our neighbors.”