Kamuli, Uganda: Prudential Uganda has transformed 71 schools with safe drinking water, impacting over 119,562 students and surrounding communities in Eastern and Western Uganda through its Climate and Health Resilience Fund initiative.
The project, implemented in partnership with social enterprise Tusafishe Limited, has delivered 71 institutional water purification systems and 40 domestic filters, ensuring thousands of litres of clean water daily in schools and households, even in remote off-grid areas.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at Bulamuka Primary School in Kisozi sub-county, Kamuli District, Prudential Uganda CEO Tetteh Ayitevie emphasized that clean water is fundamental to children’s education and well-being.
“Without clean water, everything else is harder. A sick child can’t learn properly. Our main focus is to keep children in school and to see that they are healthy,” Ayitevie said.
Ayitevie further explained that the project had three core goals: protecting children and communities from waterborne diseases, promoting climate resilience through tree planting and environmental education, and investing in sustainable solutions to safeguard health and the planet.
“Today, seeing the impact of this work, I can say it’s one of the proudest moments for us at Prudential Uganda,” he added.
Henry Othieno, CEO of Tusafishe, highlighted the challenges of reaching some of the rural communities.
“Our expertise in water purification, combined with Prudential’s commitment to community, has allowed us to deliver systems that are not only effective but also sustainable.”
“Some of these schools are in places where even getting materials in was a challenge. But every child, no matter where they live, deserves safe water,” Othieno added.
The project has directly impacted schools and communities in Fort Portal, Kyenjojo, Kyegegwa, Kamuli, Mbale, and Sironko, while also establishing Water and Environment Clubs that trained 537 community members and thousands of students in safeguarding water systems and promoting climate resilience.
Over 3,000 moringa and fruit trees have also been planted to improve nutrition, restore forest cover, and mitigate climate change.
Headteacher Swariki Balikoowa of Bulamuka Primary School praised the intervention, revealing that enrolment jumped from 120 to over 620 learners after the water facility was introduced.
“Before Prudential came in, we had only 120 students, but now we have more than 620 because they are no longer disturbed by waterborne diseases,” Balikoowa noted.
According to UNICEF, nearly 38% of Ugandans still lack access to safe drinking water, with rural and hard-to-reach areas facing the biggest challenge.
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