By Anzoo Evaline.

WaterAid Uganda has officially commissioned and handed over newly constructed sanitary facilities at two health facilities under the SHARE project to the district leadership in Adjumani District, marking a major milestone in improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in health facilities.

The SHARE project, a five-year consortium initiative implemented in both Adjumani and Buyende District and led by Right to Play, has focused on strengthening health systems and promoting safe deliveries through improved sanitation infrastructure.

Under this project, WaterAid constructed modern sanitary facilities at Maaji B HC III in Ukusijoni Sub County and at Ofua Health Center III in Ofua Sub County to address long-standing WASH challenges.

Speaking during the commissioning on Thursday 19^th March 2026, Tako Stephen, Senior Clinical Officer and In-Charge of Ofua Health Center III, expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting the transformation the facility has undergone.

“I’m so grateful for the team today that have come for the official commissioning of the projects that are being undertaken and supported by the SHARE project. We are very happy for the SHARE project because previously we had so many challenges in the facility. One is the issue of the sanitation,” Tako said.

Tako added that they previously had: a poor sanitary facility with an ordinary pit latrine which was full and not drainable; challenges with the hand hygiene; water shortage in the laboratory and the Labour suites.

“We were trained on issues of WASH. We received a great support from the SHARE project through WaterAid and that is why we are able to receive that facility that is the eight stands of a drainable latrine with the eight bathrooms behind. And I think that has improved our central facilities greatly,” Tako said.

Tako further added: “And I’m proud to say that we have increased from 16 to 30 health deliveries being done at the health facility. But it is not just a matter of having the deliveries, but also ensuring that mothers are delivering in a safe environment. In terms of improved hygiene and hygiene and prevention control standards.”

Representing the Country Director, Priscilla Nkwene Kimbugwe, Acting Director of Programmes at WaterAid Uganda, emphasized the importance of collaboration and the impact achieved through the project:

“Today, as we celebrate the journey that we have made, it has been a journey where we collaborated with the districts in carrying out assessments to ensure that we have the right beneficiary. And I’m glad that this decision and results that we got came in as a partnership aspect. And today we are here to celebrate the milestones that the project has registered. I want to take the opportunity to thank the health facility management team, the in charge of Ofua, who have worked tirelessly with us, with David, our project officer, and the other members in the consortium,” Pricilla said.

Priscilla added: “With all the efforts between Water Aid and the project and the health facilities, we are grateful that today we are here to celebrate and hand over these facilities. As one of our approaches as Water Aid, we believe in system strengthening. And we are proud to say we have strengthened the system of the district health team, but also the health facility team”.

District health officials also welcomed the development, noting improvements in infrastructure and infection prevention.

Lobe Wilson, the Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Environmental Health, said: “My sincere thanks to SHARE project in particularly WaterAid Adjumani. I’m very grateful WaterAid is constructing two blocks with the adequate hand washing facility. And when you also look at this maternity ward, the ceiling was severely crack. You may even fear to enter there. But through this support of WaterAid, today we have seen they have made at least same permanent one. I’m sure infection and prevention control is now in place. I will appeal to in charges to educate our clients about the use of that facility. It may be like that but if utilization is not proper it may become also infection centre.”

Representing the Refugee Desk Officer, the Office of the Prime Minister Pakele, Dranzoa Christine, highlighted the shared benefits between host communities and refugees:

“We are really very grateful. And on behalf of OPM, I must say we are very grateful. Though the intervention looks more on the host side, but you know the population of the refugees and the host is the same. We are all using the same facilities and also, we are using all government services together. So, it means we are all together and everything we shall be working together.”

Dranzoa added: “And to the health center management, make sure the operation and maintenance aspect has to be undertaken and we are also equally going to support in monitoring to see that everything runs smoothly.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Resident District Commissioner Emmanuel Okware commended partners for their collaboration and commitment:

“I thank the partners who have been involved in this intervention. I also thank the leadership who have been involved in helping us to identify the gaps and also commit in the collaboration. I want to thank WaterAid country director. I want to thank WaterAid program director with the entire team for the commitment that they have had in Adjumani and for the leadership that they have offered the other partners in this in this wash delivery of services. We expect the outcomes from these interventions now to save us from the other dangerous the infections the water borne diseases.”

The newly commissioned facilities are expected to significantly improve hygiene standards, reduce infections, and enhance safe delivery services in Adjumani, benefiting both host communities and refugees who depend on the same health services.

END