Uganda Appeal
Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Uganda (2025–2028)
Helping families flourish with the gift of clean water
£37,122 to go
Target: £37,122
urgent support is required
Clean water changes everything.
The moment underground water is reached is unforgettable. After hours of drilling deep into the ground, there is a sudden rush and a burst of water spraying high into the air. People laugh, cheer, and dance as they see clean water flowing for the very first time.
It is a moment that never gets old. Because in that instant, everything changes.
We all know we need water to drink, to cook, to wash, and to grow food. But for families in rural Uganda, collecting enough water for a single day can mean walking for over half an hour, often up steep and rocky paths.
Unsafe water, long journeys, and poor sanitation make daily life a constant struggle.
Thanks to your amazing support, progress is being made both here and across the world. Since 2000, 2.2 billion people have gained access to safe drinking water, and 2.8 billion more people have access to proper sanitation. That is something worth celebrating.
But the work is not finished yet.
• £30 could support one person with improved access to clean water and sanitation in WASH 3
• £127 could help a school set up a WASH Club, helping children champion their water, sanitation and hygiene needs
• £1288 could buy one rainwater harvesting water tank for a school
Thank you for every gift and every prayer. Together, we can bring clean water and lasting transformation to families in Uganda.
project overview
Our impact
Our WASH Programme in Uganda
Since 2016, International Needs has been working in Buikwe District to bring clean water, toilets, and hygiene education to communities most in need. Together, we have restored broken boreholes, drilled new wells, installed rainwater tanks, built family toilets, and taught thousands of children how to stay healthy through good hygiene.
Our next phase will focus on nine rural villages in Buikwe District: Busiri, Wankwale, Mpogo, Kikwanya, Bukonero, Bufumbe, Kikoko, Kinoni, and Monde, reaching 12,266 people. These areas face unique challenges including large populations, rocky ground, and difficult terrain. By working closely with each community, we will make sure the solutions are built to last.
As well as continuing this work in Uganda, we are also launching new water projects in Sri Lanka, helping families there overcome similar challenges of access and hygiene. We will continue to monitor each project carefully, working alongside local leaders and government to ensure long-term success.
Below are three reasons why this water project is so needed for better health and opportunity, created to bring lasting impact:
1
Every year, over 4,500 children in Uganda die from diseases linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation. Yet almost 90 percent of these cases are preventable. When communities gain access to safe water, the change is clear: fewer illnesses, healthier children, and stronger families.
2
For children, clean water and proper toilets mean more time in school. For girls, private facilities provide dignity and make it easier to stay in education. Women and girls often spend hours each day collecting water. Having clean water close to home saves time, allowing them to focus on work, study, and family life.
3
With clean water and good sanitation, families can focus on farming, work, and education. By training communities to manage, maintain, and fund their water systems, we help make lasting change possible.
the difference international needs uk can make
Over the next three years, our plan is to:
Repair eighteen existing boreholes
Drill nine new boreholes
Train local pump mechanics
Install rainwater tanks in six schools
Maintain water pumps
Build new toilets for communities and schools
Equip 120 girls with reusable sanitary pad skills
Equip 120 girls with menstrual health training
Partner with local churches to promote good health and hygiene
Set up savings groups for maintenance
Support 9 villages to access clean water and sanitation
Protect eighteen natural springs
stories
Through this work, we have seen lives transformed, like Margaret, an 80-year-old grandmother from Busiri village. Living with HIV, she used to walk long distances with her grandson, each carrying heavy jerrycans up hilly terrain. It was exhausting and dangerous. But now, thanks to our local team and the generosity of supporters, Margaret has a rainwater tank at home. Clean water is just a few steps away, giving her back strength, dignity, and peace of mind.
How we spend your money
For every £1 you donate to this appeal, we will allocate 25p of your donation to cover general support and running costs. There is a small chance that we will raise more money than is needed for this appeal. If this happens, we'll spend any additional funds on other International Needs projects – wherever the need is greatest.
donateproject updates
October 29th 2025