Stories
April 14, 2026 • 2 min read
Communities across Eastern Uganda are seeing tangible improvements in health, education, and livelihoods through increased access to clean water and more sustainable farming practices. A recent visit by GOAL’s senior leadership team, led by Regional Director for Africa John Rynne, highlighted the scale and impact of this progress.
Bringing Clean Water to Namayingo
The journey began in Namayingo District, where the team met local officials to discuss ongoing progress in the region. Since 2014, the number of people with access to safe, clean water has jumped from just 15% to 62%.
Despite these gains, challenges remain. Local leaders highlight that many families living on the islands of Lake Victoria still struggle to access safe water. GOAL remains committed to working with partners to reach these underserved communities.
GOAL’s team inspect a prepaid water metre in Namayingo
A School Transformed by Water
At Mwema Hills Primary School, reliable access to water has had a transformative impact on both health and education. Before the completion of the Mulombi Piped Water Scheme in 2024, the school faced serious water shortages. Since then, the change has been significant:
- Enrolment has soared: The school has grown from 79 pupils to 779 in just two years
- Better health: With reliable water on-site, students can practise good hygiene, helping them stay healthy and attend school regularly
- Greater access to education: With water available at the school, children can spend more time learning instead of collecting water
The school’s success has also created new challenges, with additional classrooms now needed to accommodate rising enrolment. With support from Water-Share Ireland, improved access to water is not only improving health, but helping ensure more children can attend school and build a stronger future.
Farming for the Future
In Luuka and Kaliro districts, GOAL’s INSPIRE project is supporting rural households to move beyond subsistence farming. With improved techniques and irrigation, farmers are moving away from “survival” farming and working towards more sustainable methods. Building productive livelihoods that can withstand the impact of climate change.
In Luuka, GOAL’s team met Olivia and Abra Namugwere, two lead farmers who are supporting their neighbours to adopt modern irrigation and improved planting techniques to increase vegetable production. In Kaliro, Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) innovators are developing long-term plans to guide the use of land and manage community finances.
Across rural Uganda, community members are sharing knowledge and developing long-term plans for land use and household income, helping to strengthen local resilience.
Wider Community Benefits
The impact of these initiatives extends beyond individual households. Throughout Uganda community action is reshaping lives:
- Kitchen Gardens: Families are growing nutritious food right outside their back doors to help meet their daily needs
- Improved Infrastructure: Communities are working together to repair local roads and renovate old school buildings.
- Financial Security: Improved farming methods are leading to higher household incomes.
Looking Ahead
The visit by GOAL’s leadership team reinforced the importance of continued investment in clean water, sustainable agriculture, and community-led development. Together, these efforts are helping to build more resilient communities across Eastern Uganda.
By connecting clean water with better farming and community leadership, GOAL is helping create a foundation for lasting change in Eastern Uganda.
