Nkumba University has concluded the Rotary WASH Institute (RoWASHi) plumbers’ training, with participants urged to return to their health facilities and spearhead improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services that are critical to quality healthcare delivery.
The 10-day training commenced on 23rd July and closed today, 1st August 2026, with nearly 100 plumbers and health practitioners drawn from 50 health centres across Uganda equipped with practical and theoretical skills in wastewater and drainage management, infection prevention and control, water safety, and healthcare water systems.
Presiding over the closing ceremony, Nkumba University Vice Chancellor and Project Lead, Prof. Jude Lubega, commended Rotary International, The Rotary Foundation and all implementing partners for investing in building technical capacity within Uganda’s health sector.
He said inadequate maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure in many health facilities had largely been attributed to limited technical expertise among maintenance personnel, making the training both timely and necessary. “We all agree that maintenance remains a challenge because of inadequate technical skills among technicians and engineers in our health centres. That is why this programme was conceptualized to equip you with practical competencies that will enable you to solve these challenges where you work,” Prof. Lubega said.
WASH Expert Akoit Isaac taking trainees through Infection control // Japheth Godwin Walakira
He paid tribute to Rotary leaders, including Director Emmanuel Katongole, Past District Governor Urs Klemm and Past District Governor Peace Taremwa, for championing the establishment of the Rotary WASH Institute and supporting the implementation of the flagship training programme. “I know many of you are returning to your health facilities with enhanced knowledge and confidence. Go back and become ambassadors of safe water, sanitation and hygiene. Use the skills you have acquired here to improve your facilities and train others because the impact of this programme should extend beyond the people who attended,” he said.
Prof. Lubega also thanked Nkumba University for providing an enabling learning environment and recognized the trainers, coordinators and support staff whose efforts ensured the programme was successfully delivered. “I want to thank Dr. Alex Barakgira and his team, our trainers and all the support staff for pushing beyond the limit to make this training successful. We may not have fulfilled every expectation, but we did our best within the available resources, and I appreciate your understanding,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor reminded participants that the residential training marked only the first phase of the programme, noting that graduation would depend on completing mandatory digital learning modules and post-training assessments. “Please ensure that you complete the five digital courses because they form part of your certification as a WASH Technician. The trainers will continue engaging you through Zoom and our online learning platform, and attendance will contribute to your final assessment,” he said.
He added that trainers would conduct follow-up visits to participants’ respective health facilities to assess how they would apply the knowledge acquired before they are invited back to Nkumba University for graduation scheduled for 24th October.
President of the Rotary Club of Kajjansi, Mary Nagganda, thanked Nkumba University for hosting the training and reaffirmed Rotary’s commitment to strengthening healthcare through improved WASH services. She revealed that the initiative grew out of Rotary’s earlier interventions in supporting rural health facilities with village ambulances before members recognized the need to address persistent water and sanitation challenges affecting healthcare delivery. “After supporting health centres with village ambulances, we realized that many facilities were still struggling with water, sanitation and hygiene challenges. That inspired us to mobilize resources and secure a Rotary Foundation grant to train plumbers who would strengthen WASH services in those facilities,” she said.
Nagganda noted that the programme was made possible through funding from The Rotary Foundation and contributions from Rota