Rotary District 9214 Governor Christine Kyeyune Kawooya has officially launched five online Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) courses at the Nkumba University Rotary WASH Institute today, a move expected to expand access to practical WASH knowledge beyond physical classrooms.
The courses, Sanitation Planning CLUES, Implementing Citywide Inclusive Sanitation, WASH Resilience Monitoring, Planning and Design of Systems and Technology, and Global Sanitation Tracking, are designed to build capacity among practitioners, students, and communities globally.
Speaking at the launch, DG Christine said the initiative reflects Rotary’s commitment to sustainable, knowledge-driven solutions in the water and sanitation sector. “We have different areas of focus, and water and sanitation is one of them,” she said. “We are moving beyond simply providing water to creating solutions that empower people with knowledge. These courses will help train individuals who can address WASH challenges in their own communities.”
She emphasized that the shift to digital learning is a strategic innovation aimed at widening reach and inclusivity. “E-learning is the way to go. Not everyone can come physically to the university, but now they can learn from the comfort of their homes and still gain practical skills and certification,” Kawooya added. “This kind of innovation allows us to reach thousands without geographical limitations.”
The District Governor also highlighted the role of partnerships in driving the initiative, noting that the institute will provide a dedicated hub for trainings and collaborations among engineers, researchers, and practitioners in the WASH sector. “We needed a base where professionals can deepen their understanding of water, sanitation, and hygiene. Nkumba University has given us that home,” she said.
The establishment and expansion of RoWASHI has been supported through a Rotary Global Grant mobilized through contributions from Rotary and partners worldwide to strengthen community-focused WASH interventions.
In his address, Nkumba University Vice Chancellor Jude Lubega welcomed the initiative, describing it as a transformative platform for both local and global learners. “These programs are digital in nature and will be offered free of charge to anyone interested in building capacity in WASH and related fields,” Prof. Lubega said. “We already have several programs available, and this launch will further expand access to practical knowledge globally.”
He revealed that the university will also roll out physical training programs starting this June, targeting frontline health workers. “The first cohort will include about 100 participants drawn from 50 health centres. They will receive advanced training in WASH practices, fully funded under this project,” he added.
International WASH partner Urs Herzog, a Past District Governor from Switzerland, commended the initiative as a timely intervention in addressing global sanitation challenges. “I am proud of what has been achieved here,” Urs said. “This project brings together contributions from across the world to create a learning platform that will benefit not just Uganda, but Africa and beyond. WASH is a basic element of life, and initiatives like this are essential in tackling real-world challenges.”
The launch builds on the foundation of the Nkumba University Rotary WASH Institute (RoWASHI), which was officially inaugurated on 8, January 2025, by the then Rotary International President, Stephanie Urchick during her Africa tour.
Established as a collaborative platform between Rotary and Nkumba University, the institute focuses on bridging the gap between academic training and community practice through research, professional training, and innovation in water, sanitation, and hygiene.
The initiative aligns with global development priorities, including the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation, as well as Uganda’s national development agenda.
With the rollout of the online courses, authorities say, RoWASHI is positioning itself as a regional and global hub for WASH knowledge, capable of equipping individuals and institutions with the tools needed to address persistent water and sanitation challenges.
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