FOCUS ON WASH IN WESTERN UGANDA

This project builds on RWIDF’s previous WASH interventions in Rukungiri, Mitooma, and Ntungamo, with plans to expand into Kanungu District. Its primary goal is to reduce illness and deaths caused by waterborne diseases by improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene among chronically vulnerable communities. The project will establish a sustainable rural water supply system by constructing 10 low-yield springs and 2 rainwater harvesting tanks, benefiting about 5,000 direct beneficiaries—nearly half of whom are school-going children—and over 6,000 indirect beneficiaries.

Beyond infrastructure, the project emphasizes community capacity building by equipping households with the skills to manage and maintain water facilities and promoting safe hygiene practices, particularly among women, children, and adolescent mothers. It also supports women’s empowerment by improving access to water for domestic use and income-generating activities, while reducing the burden of water collection. Complementary initiatives in health, sanitation, youth engagement, and environmental conservation will further strengthen community resilience. The project will be implemented in partnership with district authorities and the Ugandan Ministry of Water and Environment, ensuring sustainability and alignment with national priorities.

• Expand WASH interventions across Rukungiri, Ntungamo, and Mitooma, targeting over 400 households, schools, and local authorities to improve community health and productivity
• Conduct a needs assessment survey to identify vulnerable households, understand hygiene behaviors, and guide project planning, monitoring, and evaluation
• Carry out geophysical surveys at 10 sites to identify suitable and sustainable locations for water sources
• Construct 10 protected low-yield springs with tanks and 2 rainwater harvesting tanks (30,000L each) for communities and schools, incorporating sustainability features
• Implement comprehensive WASH awareness campaigns through home visits, community radio, and educational materials to promote safe water use, sanitation, and hygiene practices

• Promote safe water and hygiene practices among women, children, and adolescent mothers.

• The project's target beneficiary group includes the most vulnerable people in the selected districts:

a) 789 men

b) 1,650 women

c) 904 boys

d) 1,250 girls

• Supporting mothers’ empowerment through the provision of water facilities for household consumption.

• Mobilization of Village Saving and Lending Association (VSLA) groups with membersl each shall be trained in soap making process.

Rukungiri Women Integrated Development Foundation (RWIDF) is the 2022 UN Global Women Award Winner for empowering women in Uganda. Founded in 2002, RWIDF is a non-governmental women’s organization in Rukungiri District Western Uganda.

It is mandated to enhance the skills, livelihoods, and well-being of women and youth, mobilize communities, and increase awareness of water, sanitation, and hygienic standards, income promotion/credit scheme, reproductive health, food security, education, good governance, and human rights advocacy. In the past 20 years, RWIDF and Ryan’s Well Foundation have constructed over 350 protected springs, 20 rainwater harvesting tanks, 9 deep wells, 5 shallow wells, and 21 VIP latrines in the districts of Rukungiri, Mitooma, and Ntungamo.

Every effort is made to designate your funds as requested; however, if the specified project has become fully funded or unforeseen circumstances delay its start, we may allocate your donation to another important project.