Uganda

What does WaterAid do in Uganda?

We are working with the Ugandan Government towards their ambitious goal of reaching everyone with clean water by 2040. And we have the experience to do it. For 30 years, we have partnered with Ugandan local community organisations, helping them take ownership of sustainable projects that meet their needs and put them in control of their own futures.

We bring together people in health and education and put taps and toilets at the heart of hospitals and schools. To make an even bigger impact we work with citizens, particularly women and girls, and build their abilities to hold service providers accountable.

We will make sure leaders understand that better water, toilets and hygiene are crucial for a stronger economy and healthier society. By prioritising clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene, we can change normal for good.

Margaret Among, 45, lives in rural Bobol village and uses a wheelchair, which has made access to toilets very hard.

“With my physical disability I cannot squat,” she explains. “I can only sit. I grew up going to the toilet in the bush because latrines in my community did not have anywhere I could sit. But as a mature person, going in the bush is very shameful.”

Through our local partner, WEDA, we were able to train the community in how to make toilets that were accessible to people with disabilities. Then Margaret’s community built a new toilet for her, and she paid for its construction. 

She is delighted with the outcome. “My latrine is big. Inside there is a raised slab where I sit. I ride my wheelchair up to the entrance, and then I enter with ease.”