Amref Uganda Honored for Programmatic Impact at the 15th UWASNET WASH CSOs Forum.

Amref Health Africa in Uganda joined sector actors, policymakers, and innovators for the 15th Annual WASH Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Forum, held from 2nd–3rd October 2025 at Protea Hotel in Kampala. The two-day event, convened by the Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET) under the theme “WASH Innovations for Sustainable Development,” provided a vital platform for sharing cutting-edge solutions, best practices, and policy insights that are shaping Uganda’s WASH landscape.

Showcasing Innovation and Integration

Amref Uganda’s participation reflected our leadership in promoting innovative, community-driven, and integrated WASH interventions that improve health and wellbeing, especially among women, children, and vulnerable populations. During the exhibition, we showcased impactful models demonstrating how WASH is interconnected with health, gender equality, and climate resilience. Among these were initiatives under the FINISH Mondial and WASH for Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights projects, highlighting how access to clean water, improved sanitation, and hygiene education empower communities to thrive while preserving the environment.

“Our approach goes beyond infrastructure. We integrate WASH with sexual and reproductive health, gender inclusion, and environmental sustainability to achieve holistic community transformation,” noted Teo Namata, the WASH & Climate Change Program Manager during one of the panel discussions.

Sustaining WASH Gains Through Innovation and School-Based Solutions

Nicholas Obonyo, WASH Project Officer under the Piwa Maleng project, highlighted the importance of institutionalizing school WASH programs to safeguard progress and scale innovations. He underscored that empowering learners as hygiene champions, integrating WASH into school governance structures, and fostering ownership among Parent-Teacher Associations are vital for long-term impact. Nicholas emphasized that schools serve as transformation hubs where children carry home hygiene behaviors that ripple through entire communities.

Ms. Teo Namata, the WASH and Climate Change Program Manager, shared practical solutions for advancing sanitation technologies in resource-constrained settings. Her presentation introduced the Double Leach Pour-Flush Toilet a cost-effective, environmentally friendly design that separates effluent into alternating leach pits, minimizing contamination and maximizing lifespan. This innovation supports climate-resilient sanitation systems adaptable for schools and peri-urban communities ; while it also  enables  reuse of waste for agricultural purposes. Her presentation demonstrated how such simple yet multi-functional designs can transform sanitation access, particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Celebrating Excellence: The Programmatic Impact Award

The symposium concluded on a celebratory note with an awards ceremony recognizing champions transforming Uganda’s WASH landscape. Amref Health Africa in Uganda proudly received the Programmatic Impact Award, a prestigious honor that celebrates our leadership in designing and implementing high-impact WASH interventions that uplift lives and strengthen community resilience.

This recognition reaffirms Amref’s steadfast commitment to driving innovation, strategic partnerships, and advancing sustainable sanitation and hygiene solutions that align with Uganda’s National Development Plan (NDP III) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

As an organization rooted in community-led transformation, we remain dedicated to scaling evidence-based WASH models that not only improve health outcomes but also empower schools, households, and local governments to sustain progress. This award inspires us to continue championing Better Health for All, through programs that are inclusive, resilient, and anchored in national priorities for lasting change.

Together for a Healthier, More Resilient Uganda

Amref Health Africa’s recognition at the UWASNET Forum is more than an award it’s a collective call to action. As Uganda advances toward universal access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, every stakeholder has a role to play. We call upon government leaders to continue prioritizing integrated WASH and health investments; development partners to join us in scaling proven innovations; and communities to sustain the gains through ownership and stewardship of local solutions.

At Amref, we reaffirm our commitment to driving climate-resilient, inclusive, and people-centered WASH services that leave no one behind. This recognition renews our resolve to innovate, collaborate, and act because lasting health change begins when we all work together.

Other Links:

• CITIZENS’ MANIFESTO FOR WATER, SANITATION & HYGIENE (WASH) 2025

By Amref Health Africa in Uganda – Communications and Fundraising Department

Amref Health Africa

Amref Health Africa teams up with African communities to create lasting health change.