IRFF UK: Water Crisis in Uganda - Hard Rock, Heavy Rain

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Busabala School Gets a Borehole We were the victims of our own success. Busabala Primary

School in Uganda was running out of water. And we were the

For years, the state-run school struggled. High dropout rates, early

pregnancies, and poor menstrual health held back its 500 pupils,

most of them girls.

So we asked, “How can we help?”

They gave us a shortlist of needs. Their message was clear: the

school could not move forward without support.

So we at IRFF UK got to work.

We funded GirlChild and Wait

educational programmes that provided

girls with access to menstrual health

education and period products. With

growing confidence, attendance soared,

attracting more students.

The school’s population doubled to

around 1,000 pupils.

The Crisis Hits But this growth came at a cost that we had not considered –

water scarcity.

Municipal water was unreliable, shutting off within hours each

morning. During the annual dry season, the school’s two rainwater

tanks ran dry, leaving it dependent on the erratic national supply.

In December 2024, the school told us that they were fast running

out of water.

We could not let that happen.

So IRFF UK stepped up again. Our representative in Uganda, Jesca

Nakamanyisa – head teacher at nearby Destiny School – identified

experts, and we funded a deep-water well to ensure a continuous

supply of clean, fresh water.

Drilling Through Challenges Work began in March under tough conditions. Continuous rain at

the worksite stalled progress, and the drill hit dense rock – formed

by ancient tectonic activity near Lake Victoria.

By May, after breaking through two hard layers, we struck water

60-65 metres (200 feet) below the surface. Beneath Uganda’s

soil, underground aquifers carry pure, safe water. Busabala now

has direct access to them.

The borehole project cost £4,400, covering drilling, solar-powered

pump installation, and a large storage tank to ensure sustainability

and keep operational costs low.

Impact Beyond Water Girls now have water for drinking, washing and sanitation. The

impact doesn’t stop there. Thanks to the GirlChild Uganda

programme, seven girls at Busabala Primary School achieved first-

place grades in their examinations – a first in the school’s history.

Who Made This Possible? IRFF UK applauds Imanuel

Spiegl from Austria for his

professional guidance and

£450 donation toward the

pump. IRFF UK also directed a

small part of a legacy gift

towards the project.

We are deeply grateful to

donors like you – who stepped

up over the years to support

these girls, their teachers, and

their families.

Next Steps Municipal leaders have praised the work. At the time of writing, the

Education Officer and Town Clerk are expected to send an official

letter of appreciation.

Although the well is now operational, a ceremonial opening will be

held in the second term, after pupils return from school holidays.

Teachers, students, and community leaders will gather to celebrate

the milestone.

A Changed School The headmaster pledges to improve hygiene, reducing infection

risks and ensuring girls have what they need. Additionally, the

school can now redirect the £300-£400 it previously spent on

municipal water each month to other essential projects.

Thanks to your support, Busabala Primary School is now better

equipped to welcome the influx of new pupils enrolled since

February with another 200 or more expected in 2025. With these

improvements, the school is positioned to thrive for years to

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