GOAL hands over new water infrastructure, funded by charity: water, to communities in Uganda

GOAL Uganda has formally handed over vital new water infrastructures constructed last year with funding from charity: water to the local leaderships in Bugiri and Namayingo Districts in the east of the country. The works are  benefiting more than 50,000 people.

In 2019 GOAL drilled 127 new boreholes, rehabilitated 32 boreholes and constructed a new piped water scheme improving sanitation and hygiene and providing access to safe water for 159 communities. In addition, GOAL constructed new latrines in four schools.

With the support of its donor charity: water, and in collaboration with the local leadership in both districts, GOAL Uganda’s WASH programme in Bugiri and Namayingo which started in 2014 is helping rural communities access to safe and sustainable water.

GOAL Uganda WASH team is joined by the District Commercial Officer as GOAL hand over water structure.

GOAL Uganda Assistant Country Director Programmes, Kate Schoenmakers said: “We are very proud of the impact of GOAL’s work in conjunction with our partners over the last six years, resulting in improved health outcomes for more than 190,000 people who now have access to safe clean water.”

Since 2014:

• Water coverage in Namayingo District increased from 24% to 61% while in Bugiri District coverage increased from 45% to more than 75% in 2019
• 495 new boreholes were drilled across the two Districts
• 143 boreholes rehabilitated with galvanized iron pipes replaced with more durable stainless steel or uPVC.
• One mini piped water scheme completed in Namayingo District.
• More than 80% of the two Districts (325 communities) were made open defecation free between 2014 and 2018

GOAL Uganda has used a community-led total sanitation approach to improve their sanitation and hygiene. In addition, school sanitation has been provided to primary schools. To-date 48 latrine blocks have been provided to 18 primary schools.

GOAL Uganda Assistant Country Director Programmes, Kate Schoenmakers is joined by a representative of the Local Counsellor 5, who is also the Secretary of Works for Namayingo District, and a representative of the Chief Administrative Officer for Namayingo and is the District Water Officer for Namayingo.

Ms Schoenmakers said GOAL Uganda is now delighted to be formally handing over its 2019 water infrastructure to the leadership of Bugiri and Namayingo. “We do so with the confidence that the District, in partnership with the communities they serve, will continue to ensure access to sustainable and safe water for the future.”

GOAL has been implementing WASH projects in Uganda since 2003. The approach to WASH includes a focus on providing access to safe water, the sustainable operation and maintenance of rural water sources, promotion of sanitation and hygiene, district and national coordination and networking, and mainstreaming of important cross cutting issues such as gender.