Water Crisis in Uganda and Everything You Need to Know About It
The Current State of Uganda
The water crisis in Uganda has been an ongoing issue for years, due to its landlocked location in East Africa. Currently, there are over 7 million Ugandan people living without access to clean water.
The poverty in Uganda, along with economic stress, has put an enormous strain on this beautiful land and its resources. Approximately 10% of Ugandans have access to streams, ponds and unprotected hand-dug wells as sources of drinking water.
In many parts of rural Uganda, water is highly inaccessible. People have to walk for miles, several times a day, to fetch contaminated water for themselves and their families. Since Uganda is an agriculture-heavy country, typically men dedicate their time to working in the fields, while the women and children take care of the household. This involves fetching heavy buckets of water from far away.
The excess time spent on water provision hinders their ability to work and maintain the household, and for children to go to school. For the children who do make it to school, unsanitary conditions and unsafe drinking water makes it difficult to stay healthy. Women, particularly girls, have a very tough time without proper sanitation and toilets.
Our Clean Water Program in Uganda, Africa
The water crisis in Uganda is a serious, imminent issue that needs immediate attention. At Acts For Water, we provide sustainable solutions to clean water supply in Uganda.
Through collaboration, we engage in an equal partnership with local communities because we believe each person has a valuable impact on community development. With our growing community, we aim to provide not only clean, but also very accessible water to the people who’ve gone without in Uganda. The time saved fetching water is essential for the economic development, health and educational opportunities for each community.
Our projects aim to:
Create sustainable water management strategies to provide clean drinking water to Ugandan communities
We’re constantly coming up with ways in which we can improve our Gravity Flow Systems to sustainably supply water to different regions within Uganda.
Provide sanitation and hygiene in schools
Increased accessibility of clean drinking water in schools has greatly impacted the quality of education. Our water programs have not only allowed school children, especially girls, to use separate latrines and toilets, but have also enforced sustainable water and sewage systems to promote hygiene practices amongst the community. This stops them from skipping school and gives girls the privacy they need in toilets. Less absenteeism and proper sanitation practices have increased learning and productivity.
Implement household-to-community transformation
Providing clean and accessible water to parts of Uganda is only the first step in ensuring they have safe water. The second step is to provide training for the Ugandan community on how to use clean water in a hygienic way. Good sanitary conditions will not only promote the well-being of Ugandan people but will also ultimately boost the economy, thereby reducing poverty in Uganda.
Monitor and evaluate our work
By constantly scrutinizing our work on clean water programs, we regularly gather data for evidence of the impact on the community. By doing so, we strive to reduce the levels of waterborne diseases occurring, and improve the quality of living for all the Ugandan people. We don’t assume that life is improving in the villages due to our work—we prove it!
Now that you’re more aware of the pressing conditions in Uganda, especially its rural parts, it is important to join us in making a difference and transforming the lives of Ugandan people. You can donate to our clean water projects here.