In 2025, Bread and Water for Africa® provided grant funding to our partner in Uganda, Bega Kwa Bega (BKB-Shoulder to Shoulder), to protect 15 spring water sites, which today serve 1,438 households and benefit a total of 7,190 individuals.
In addition, these protected spring sites serve an additional 3,996 students attending 14 schools in the region, nine health centers, and 17 churches and mosques.
BKB Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) & Nutrition Program Manager Mary Musubika recently reported on two completed projects that have transformed the lives of hundreds in two remote Ugandan villages.
Clean Water, New Life: The Bukungulu Village Spring Protection Success
InBukungulu Village, residents had relied on the only easily accessible water source, described as “an open water source, green in color, and it had vegetation that contaminated the water after rotting.”
In sum, BKB reported: “It was not safe for use, but people still used it because they had no other option,” as the nearest safe one “took one hour to go to and from.”
More than 50 households and congregants from two local churches used the unprotected site.
Local residents, excited about the prospect of convenient access to safe, clean water “actively participated during the construction of the well” and attended an education session on proper use of the well and its maintenance to ensure its long life, and best WASH practices.
In addition, residents named members to a water committee that is overseeing its operations, which Mary noted includes children’s representatives.
Once the spring protection project was completed, all households received brand-new 20-liter (5.3-gallon) jerrycans for sanitary transport, storage, and consumption of clean water.
Today, says Mary, “They are so grateful that they now have access to a free, clean, safe, and reliable water source which minimizes waterborne illnesses, hence improving hygiene and sanitation together with health.”
“Community members are so happy because they never imagined that their area could be considered, given that it is deep in the village.”
Among them is Nabunya Hadija, the caretaker on the appointed water committee, who reported on behalf of her community that the protection of this spring has greatly impacted the beneficiaries.
Nabunya has a family of four children and sells food for a living, and Mary told us that the clean, safe water “helps her both at home and for her food business.”
A Village Renewed: The Life‑Changing Gift of Clean Water
In Bulumbu Buyiga Village, there are 50 households, a primary school with 420 students, four churches, and three pharmacies, where all had no choice but to use “the open water source shared by both humans and cows,” Mary told us.
“It was not safe for use as sometimes children stepped in the water as they fetched it, but the schoolchildren and the rest of the community had to use the site because they had no option,” said Mary.
Despite the rainy season, which made it difficult to work and get around, “community members actively participated in the construction” of the site protection project.
As is the case in all of the spring protection projects supported by Bread and Water for Africa®, an education session was conducted on its proper use and maintenance, and best WASH practices, along with the formation of a water committee (with children’s representatives), and all villagers received brand new jerrycans.
“The beneficiaries were very excited and happy because this is the only water source for the school and the rest of the community,” reported Mary following the completion of the project.
“They were grateful because, in addition to constructing their well, they received new jerrycans and hence consumption and storage of clean and safe water.
“The beneficiaries added that they could not thank the supporters of Bread and Water for Africa® enough, for they now have free access to a clean, safe, and reliable water source, which minimizes waterborne illnesses, hence improving hygiene and sanitation together with health.”
Robert Nsamba, an adult with a family of 13 children, who told us the now-protected spring site is of great help to his family and the community, Mary told us.
Robert, the village chairman, and other community members reported that, unlike before, where water was dirty, people washed their feet in the water and stepped in it as they fetched.
He and his family are all so happy as protecting the spring has made the water clean and safe and that they no longer have to spend time waiting for dirt to filter and are assured of a constant flow.
They added that it is now safe for the children to fetch water from the water outlet (pipe), and the school leaders no longer have to worry about students falling ill, as the risks associated with an open, dirty water source are now eliminated.
Another is a poultry farmer and caretaker of the spring site, Geoffrey Ssewakilyanga, who told us that prior to the completion of the protection project, his chickens were affected by the dirty water he obtained from the open water source.
Today, however, he has noticed a marked improvement in their health and believes that with clean water, they will have an increase in the number of eggs laid.
“There is a sense of ownership amongst the community members,” reported Mary.
She also told us that community members are keeping the protected site clean and sanitary.
“Individuals are taking it upon themselves to clean regularly without being pushed.”
An added bonus is that males are no longer considering fetching water to be “women’s work” and are lending a helping hand in the daily chore.
“Usually, it is children and mothers fetch water,” says Mary, “but after protecting the spring, men are now participating in fetching water for their homes.”
