Political leaders and technocrats from Bunyangabu and Kabarole districts at the launch of the project in Fort Portal, Western Uganda
USD 300,000 grant committed for safe water for households and sanitation for institutions
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has partnered with IRC Uganda to improve access to water and sanitation services for vulnerable communities in Kabarole and Bunyangabu districts.
Published on: 12/07/2024
The year-long initiative valued at USD 300,000 (over 1.1bn Ugandan Shillings) will cover the period April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025, and will boost IRC’s work in the districts, with focus on extending piped water supply to serve up to 13 villages in Kabarole District. In Bunyangabu, standardised sustainable and inclusive sanitation facilities in two schools and two healthcare facilities will be constructed, and capacity strengthening provided for institutional governance structures to facilitate operations and maintenance.
According to their website, The Church of The Latter-day Saints Charities emphasises their critical focus on family well-being and the commitment to support access to clean water to improve health and change lives.
“We are grateful to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for partnering with IRC to construct safe water supply systems and sanitation facilities, extending services to households and institutions to improve hygiene and health in the communities that we serve,” said Jane Nabunnya Mulumba, IRC Country Director.
Ms. Mulumba re-echoed IRC's long-term commitment to delivering sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
“This grant from The Latter-day Saints Charities is yet another vote of confidence in the quality of our work. Collectively with the districts we are promoting a systems approach and demonstrating the highest quality of WASH services, built to last, and modelled against global and national guidelines for learning and replication.”
During the launch of the project held in Fort Portal on 06 June 2024, IRC made a presentation before stakeholders from both districts highlighting the project’s three objectives, namely:
District political leaders expressed gratitude for IRC’s impactful interventions in improving water and sanitation in Uganda. Bunyangabu Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Mr. Hood Nsubuga highlighted the broader impact of WASH services on health, education, and partnerships as indicated in SDG1, SDG2, SDG3 and SDG17.
“It is absurd that 21% of our households have no access to clean water, 10% of households still practice open defecation and up to 33 children die every day due to diarrhoea,” said Mr Nsubuga. "These interventions by IRC to improve access to clean water for households and sanitation facilities for schools and health centres is the best investment that all partners should support to change lives.”
Martin Watsisi, IRC Regional WASH Advisor, reiterated the importance of collective action and stakeholder involvement:
“You are invited not as beneficiaries but as stakeholders in delivering what we have committed to the people.”
Watsisi explained IRC's strategic focus on a district-wide approach since 2010, ensuring significant impact and replicable success by concentrating resources in a few districts. He urged political leaders to sensitise the people to understand their responsibilities through paying tariffs and taking care of the facilities provided.
"Government policies do not allow for sanitation subsidies at the household level. We will focus on training and motivational models, while we expect each family to set up and maintain an exclusive toilet facility that meets public health standards of home health and hygiene," Mr Watsisi added.
Stakeholders from both districts underscored the project’s significance and discussed future steps. Technical officers from community development, health services inspection and education offices called for increasing the target number of households to be reached.
In the message of the District Chairperson of Kabarole delivered by Woman Councillor and Secretary of Works Hon. Restetuta Balinda, IRC was appreciated for past and recent initiatives.
"IRC supported us to construct lined pit latrines for our health centres and schools. They have walked with us on our home improvement campaign to end open defecation village by village. Our healthcare facilities are now so neat, thanks to their efforts," said Ms Balinda.
Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Bunyangabu Mr Robert Nuwamanya appreciated IRC's practical contributions.
"IRC's work is visible and impactful. Your openness and transparency in sharing budgets and opportunities are commendable," Mr Nuwamanya remarked.
Mr Nuwamanya also called for expanded awareness campaigns to motivate households to improve sanitation and home conditions.
This new project with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints becomes the fifth collective action initiative for IRC Uganda, synergising with others by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Government of the Netherlands – Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS), the James Percy Foundation and the Waterloo Foundation, that are funding IRC’s work in Uganda to demonstrate resilient WASH services, with the aim to transform lives.
Chairman of Bunyangabu, Hon James Mugarama Ategeka stressed the importance of sustaining projects beyond initial investments.
"As local governments we must ensure the continuity of these projects even after donor support ends, because IRC has paved a way for us to do that," Mr Ategeka remarked.
Mr Ategeka commended IRC for its practical and transparent approach, especially for proactively engaging political leaders from the very start of the projects. This, he said, depicts the recognition and endorsement of district leadership and enables them to be active contributors other than saboteurs of such projects.
As the project progresses, it will serve as a model for similar initiatives, showcasing the power of collaboration and sustained commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
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"It is absurd that 21% of our households have no access to clean water, 10% of households still practice open defecation and up to 33 children die every day due to diarrhoea. These interventions by IRC to improve access to clean water for households and sanitation facilities for schools and health centres is the best investment that all partners should support to change lives."
Hood Nsubuga, Bunyangabu Chief Administrative Officer
"IRC supported us to construct lined pit latrines for our health centres and schools. They have walked with us on our home improvement campaign to end open defecation village by village. Our healthcare facilities are now so neat, thanks to their efforts."
Hon. Restetuta Balinda, Woman Councillor and Secretary of Works delivering the message of the District Chairperson of Kabarole
"IRC's work is visible and impactful. Your openness and transparency in sharing budgets and opportunities are commendable."
Mr Robert Nuwamanya, Deputy Resident District Commissioner for Bunyangabu
"As local governments we must ensure the continuity of these projects even after donor support ends, because IRC has paved a way for us to do that."
Hon James Mugarama Ategeka, Chairman of Bunyangabu
