Nkumba University Trains Plumbers to Boost Healthcare WASH Services

Nkumba University has successfully wrapped up a specialized 10-day training program, the Rotary WASH Institute (RoWASHi) plumbers’ training, designed to enhance critical water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services within Uganda’s health facilities.

The intensive program brought together approximately 100 plumbers and health practitioners drawn from 50 different health centers nationwide. Participants engaged in both practical and classroom-based learning, focusing on essential areas such as wastewater and drainage management, effective infection prevention and control strategies, water safety protocols, and the intricacies of healthcare water systems.

Prof. Jude Lubega, Vice Chancellor of Nkumba University and the project lead, highlighted the training’s significance in addressing a critical gap in technical expertise for maintaining vital WASH infrastructure in health facilities. “Many health facilities lack adequately trained technicians for WASH systems,” Prof. Lubega stated, emphasizing the program’s role in equipping individuals with practical skills to overcome these challenges and improve service delivery.

He urged the trainees to act as “ambassadors for safe water and sanitation,” encouraging them to apply their newly acquired knowledge and share it with colleagues. The initiative was a collaborative effort, with commendations extended to Rotary International, The Rotary Foundation, and other supporting partners, as well as the trainers and coordinators.

This residential training is the first phase of a certification process. Graduates must complete five online modules and post-training assessments before official graduation on October 24. Follow-up visits by trainers are also planned to assess the practical application of learned skills in their respective facilities.

Mary Nagganda, President of the Rotary Club of Kajjansi, explained that the program originated from Rotary’s observation of persistent WASH challenges in rural health centers. “Improving access to clean water and proper sanitation is one of the most effective ways of preventing disease,” she remarked, expressing confidence in the trainees’ potential to make a lasting impact.

Beneficiaries, like WASH technician Muhereza Chresostome, described the training as transformative, equipping them with skills to enhance water and sanitation management and ultimately improve patient care. The Rotary WASH Institute at Nkumba University, established in 2025, aims to foster sustainable WASH solutions across Africa.

This plumbers’ training program is coordinated by the Rotary Club of Kajjansi, with funding from The Rotary Foundation and support from various Rotary clubs and international partners.

Source: Nile Post