L’Arche Uganda is a community of vulnerable persons with and without intellectual disabilities based in Busega, Kampala. The water project is part of a larger initiative by L’Arche Uganda to improve community well-being by enabling increased access to water for consumption and production to improve the quality of life for community members. The proposed project seeks to complete the final phase of the project.

The planned final phase II of the water project, pending availability of funds, includes the following:

• Installation of a dual solar and electricity-powered water pump for the community borehole.

• Installation of two (2) water reserve tanks (15,000 liters).

• Construction of water tank stands, related drainage, and gravity flow systems.

• Training the community pump care and management team.

• Set up of a mini irrigation project to boost community farm productivity.

Problem statement

Busega is one of the water-stressed areas of Kampala. During the dry season especially, access to water for consumption and production remains a major challenge. This affects health, hygiene, and nutrition, which is a critical issue affecting the general well-being of the community members. The community resorts to unprotected water sources (shallow wells, ponds, swamps, etc.), which are often contaminated with pathogens that lead to waterborne and hygiene-related diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. The issue disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable community members, who are at risk of these diseases. Additionally, water shortages mean increased costs. For example, a jerry can of water goes for between 500/= UGX and 1000/= UGX per 20 liters jerry can, which is unaffordable for community members, but also poses health, safety, and privacy issues, particularly for vulnerable community members (especially women and girls). The farm is also affected in that it is unproductive due to lack of water for irrigation, resulting in inadequate food vis-a-vis higher food expenses.

Impact on well-being

Inadequate supply of water has far-reaching consequences on the quality of life for the vulnerable L’Arche community as follows:

• Increased risks of water, hygiene, and nutrition-related diseases such as diarrhea, dysentery, cholera, typhoid, and malnutrition. Those with weakened immune systems are particularly affected and at risk, leading to frequent medical costs.

• Reduced farm productivity contributing to better nutrition. Those with weakened immune systems are particularly affected and at risk of other diseases, leading to frequent medical costs.

• Increased vulnerability for women and girls, often spending hours each day collecting water from distant sources. Poor hygiene facilities also affect their privacy, safety, and dignity, particularly during menstruation.

Without intervention, the community will continue to experience the risk of poor health and nutrition, low farm productivity, and unsustainable water expenses. Addressing these issues is critical for improving the general well-being of the community members, farm productivity, and reduced expenses, hence promoting greater resilience and sustainability for the L’Arche community in Busega.