By Aggrey Baba
[He who fetches water with a leaky jerycan should not blame the river]. And for years, many Ugandan schools have depended on unreliable water sources, struggling to provide clean water, a basic necessity that many take for granted. But thanks to a timely intervention, a ray of hope is piercing through the clouds.
Housing Finance Bank (HFB) has rolled out a lifeline for schools in need. Through its new Water and Sanitation product, the bank is funding the installation of water harvesting systems to support clean drinking water and improve hygiene standards in Ugandan schools.
In its first round, HFB invested over UGX 8 million to install water tanks at Maganjo UMEA Primary School in Nansana Municipality and Kadugala Secondary School in Masaka, directly benefiting more than 1,000 students.
“Water is life, but not when it’s laced with disease,” said Peace Ayebazibwe, the Executive Director of Housing Finance Bank. “We are committed to ensuring that schools and communities have access to safe water through affordable financial products and partnerships.”
According to data from the Ministry of Education and Sports, only 35% of Ugandan primary schools have clean water access, while over 70% of schools lack basic sanitation. The result? High rates of student absenteeism and waterborne illnesses.
Through its partnership with organizations like WaterQuip, HFB is making clean water systems not just a dream, but a reality for schools that have long operated on the edge of neglect.
These efforts don’t just improve health, but also help keep children in school and strengthen the country’s push towards sustainable development.
HFB’s initiative supports Uganda’s progress toward United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). A dry well cannot quench a village’s thirst, but HFB’s action is filling the gap with long-term, community-friendly solutions. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
