UNICEF drills two boreholes to provide clean and safe water for Sudanese refugees in Kiryandongo

 This was made possible with funding from the European Union Humanitarian Aid

As Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement continues to face challenges of limited water supply due to increased new arrivals of Sudanese refugees, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has with funding from the European Union Humanitarian Aid financed the drilling and motorization of two more boreholes to provide clean and safe water to save lives.

UNICEF with European Union Humanitarian Aid commissioned a water supply feasibility study with the aim of exploring long term adequate and sustainable water supply options to address a 20-year water demand for Kiryandongo area.

One of the expected recommendations from the study was to drill four high yielding boreholes with an aim to increase access to adequate clean and safe water supply to save lives as an immediate response.

However, out of the four newly drilled high yielding boreholes, only two boreholes (in cluster A and G) were found to have water supply of the quality suitable for use by the refugees and host communities in Kiryandongo settlement and the motorization of the boreholes using solar power begun end May 2025. solar power.

On completion, the motorized boreholes will provide an additional approximately 42M³/Hr. (a total of about 288M³ of clean water per day - including - six hours. pumping with diesel-generator power) which is expected to improve the water supply service levels to at least 14 -15 litres per day, up from the current 9.1 litres per person per day. The water supply per person per day dropped from 16 litres in 2023 to nine litres in 2024, which is far below the recommended International Humanitarian Standard of 20 litres per person per day. 

UNICEFUganda/2025

This latest humanitarian intervention by UNICEF aims at improving access to adequate and equitable safe water supply for some of the 85,004 Sudanese refugees registered in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement Cluster A and G and nearby host communities.

The settlement is currently hosting a total of 150,723 refugees in clusters G, L, B, A and the figures continue to rise, according to the Commandant Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Mr. Emmanuel Turyagenda. The new boreholes will supply water to the most vulnerable existing refugees, host communities and the Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs) living in the neighbouring areas.

The development of the two water systems will contribute to the urgently needed water supply infrastructure, in line with the Interagency Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) plan developed jointly with WASH actors active in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement under the leadership of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), and the proactive participation of UNICEF.

In the same WASH plan, UNHCR has planned to develop another water supply system from a surface water source within Kiryandongo area to further increase access to safe water supply for the refugees and host community. 

Each borehole funded drilled and constructed by UNICEF with European Union Humanitarian Aid funding will constitute a solar powered water supply system, complete with an electric multistage centrifugal submersible borehole pump, a solar power system with mono crystalline PV Solar panels, PV solar panel support structure for mounting solar panels and electrical accessories.

A 22Kv diesel-powered generator will also be installed to provide backup power for the daylight pumping hours. These two water systems will have transmission pipelines (HDPE pipe OD 75mm PN 16), that will carry water from the boreholes to the reservoir tanks and water supply distribution networks each with about 14 tap stands per system.

Mr Paul Semakula, a WASH specialist based at the UNICEF Zonal Office in Arua, said that this additional water infrastructure to be developed in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, will improve access to safe and reliable (un-interrupted) water supply service levels of at least 14-15 litres per person per day to at least 21,000 refugees in Cluster A and Cluster G hence significantly reducing or eliminating the need for water trucking in Cluster A. Secondly the distribution tap stands in the cluster will ensure girls and women will not have to move long distances to access safe water.     

Made in Uganda: Deputy Speaker Tayebwa Hands Over Kayoola EVS 2025 Model Bus To Uganda Civil Aviation Authority

 Uganda’s automotive industry flagship Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC)  has  handed over the Kayoola EVS 2025 model – 12 –meter bus to the management of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCCAA.)

This event marked an electrifying moment for Uganda, igniting a new era in the country’s Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) journey. At the grand closing ceremony of the National Science Week 2025 held under the theme “Made in Uganda: From Innovation to Market,” Kiira Motors Corporation has once again unleashed a powerful symbol of African ingenuity and unwavering commitment to a sustainable future.

The Kayoola EVS 2025, a masterpiece from Uganda’s automakers, stands as a resounding testament to Uganda’s burgeoning capability to design, engineer, and produce world-class electric vehicles. The vehicle is a meticulously crafted solution tailored for the vibrant rhythm of African cities.

The handover ceremony was presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the national parliament , Mr. Thomas Tayebwa ,who presented the keys of the fully electric bus to the UCAA Director General, Mr. Fred K. Bamwesigye . This was at the closing of a week-long National Science Week organized by the Ministry of Science ,Technology and Innovation (MoSTI) at Kololo Independence grounds.

The colourful function was witnessed by Dr. Monica Musenero the  Minister STI  and Mr. Paul Isaac Musasizi , the CEO of Kiira Motors Corporation .

In his prepared speech Deputy Speaker Tayebwa noted that the Kayoola EVS 2025 was a moving declaration of innovation, resilience, and the sheer power of homegrown solutions. He commended KMC for its milestone achievements, noting that Uganda is firmly on the path of self-driven innovation.
“It is time to believe in our own. What we are importing from abroad is not even comparable. These are home-grown solutions, built by our own people, for our own needs,” Tayebwa stated.

“The official handover of a Kayoola EVS 2025 unit to the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA) signifies the seamless integration of green mobility into Uganda’s critical aviation infrastructure, solidifying our pledge to drastically reduce carbon emissions and elevate service delivery at our nation’s vital gateways.

 Furthermore, this handover embodies the crucial confidence public institutions are placing in our high-tech, domestically produced innovations, a vital step in cultivating a robust local market for electric vehicles and propelling the technological advancements essential for our economic transformation,” he said .

For the Global South, Tayebwa noted , this momentous occasion reverberates far beyond Uganda’s borders. “ It unequivocally affirms that the African continent is not merely a consumer of imported technologies but a dynamic creator of high-tech, transformative solutions. The Kayoola EVS 2025 epitomizes the aspirations of a continent steadfast in its resolve to leapfrog into a cleaner, smarter, and more inclusive future for all,” he added.

He went further to state ; “As we celebrate this monumental milestone, we powerfully reaffirm our unwavering commitment by the government under the visionary leadership of  President Yoweri Museveni, to investing in Science Technology and Innovation as the undeniable driver of Uganda’s socio- economic transformation.

While receiving the well branded elegant bus , UCAA Director General Bamwesigye thanked the government of Uganda for funding the electric vehicles programme.

“We are particularly thankful to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation for its unwavering support and guidance in advancing e-mobility and nurturing Uganda’s indigenous motor vehicle industry,” he said .

Bamwesigye recalled that in 2020, UCAA was approached by Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) to pilot the Kayoola EVS—Low-Floor Electric Bus—by facilitating the transportation of  its staff between Kampala and Entebbe International Airport.

“We embraced this opportunity, and five years later, we have never looked back. Today, we are proud to receive the first of our fleet of six electric buses, having fully embraced this transformative innovation,” the DG said adding that this new concept aligned seamlessly with UCAA core value of embracing innovation and technology in a rapidly evolving environment.

“ It was especially significant that the buses are environmentally friendly—powered by electricity, eliminating diesel use and its associated pollution. The Kayoola EVS also supports our commitment to climate and environmental protection, in line with the Long-Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) of achieving net-zero aviation carbon emissions by 2050,” he stated.

Tayebwa also handed over certificates of competence to UCAA’s electric bus operators

Bamwesigye said that as Ugandans  reflect on the transformative journey of strategic investment in Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) as a key driver of the country’s projected tenfold economic expansion by 2040, UCAA reaffirms its support and commitment to KMC’s e-mobility innovations. We wholeheartedly embrace the theme of this Science Week: “Made in Uganda: From Innovation to Market.”

In alignment with the government of Uganda’s Buy Uganda, Build Uganda (BUBU) policy, Bamwesigye said that UCAA has undertaken the replacement of its ageing diesel fleet with six electric buses manufactured by Kiira Motors Corporation.

“The shift from diesel-powered vehicles to electric mobility is a significant step toward enhanced environmental sustainability and reduced pollution,” he noted .

KMC Chief Executive Officer, Paul Isaac Musasizi, expressed optimism about the potential impact of the new electric bus model: “We are optimistic that the introduction of this new model will create significant opportunities—not just for commuters, but also for transport entrepreneurs because the vehicle supports a more sustainable and profitable business model, thanks to its use of affordable energy. Compared to fuel-powered vehicles, users save over 78% in energy costs and more than 46% in annual maintenance expenses. This electric bus is not only a smart mobility solution, but a smart economic one as well.”

About this new Kayoola 2025- 12-meter model

 The fully electric bus has a range of up to 350 kilometers on a single charge , a spacious 56-seated passenger capacity, and a suite of modern amenities including Wi-Fi, HVAC, USB-charging ports, ECAS, CCTV, and an inclusive design ensuring comfort and accessibility for all.

Editor:msserwanga@gmail.com

Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement: UNICEF, LWF giving Sudanese refugees a new lease on life

 Thanks to support from UNICEF, LWF and UNHCR in conjunction with OPM, Sudanese nationals fleeing the war in their country are being settled, protected and equipped with survival skills in Uganda

By Moses Sserwanga

There has been an influx of Sudanese refugees in Uganda following a devastating 19-month war in Sudan that has displaced close to three million people. Among the thousands of fleeing Sudanese nationals now seeking refuge at the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, the majority are children and women.

These include some unaccompanied and separated children whose parents were either killed in the bloody war, or whose whereabouts are unknown. Faima Mohmm, a nine-year-old girl, is one of them.

“I fled the war in Khartoum with my mother and elder 12-year-old sister, Kahaan Eprhn. We were in a group of ten people and moved a long distance up to the Uganda border in Nimule, where we were received by a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

(UNHRC) team. After the registration process, we were transported to Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement and are now camped at the reception centre,” she narrates while thanking Allah that they are alive and in a safe place.

Mohmm’s story is shared by many other children who spend much of their daytime at the mobile Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs), which have been set up at the settlement’s reception centre to rehabilitate and offer psychosocial support to children affected by the Sudan war. The spaces, which are managed by Lutheran World Foundation (LWF) on behalf of UNHCR, have been set up with support and funding from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Uganda. 

This six-month UNICEF-supported child protection intervention kicked off from 28th May to 27th November 2024 targeting the Sudanese influx. It accommodates both refugee and national child communities living around the settlement and provides individual care management and support to children with mental and physical health challenges, among others.

“The CFSs have been part of an emergency response since December 2023. We received support of US$68,370 equivalent to UGX260,629,091 from UNICEF to respond to the needs of refugee children by improving their living conditions and providing protection services,” explained Ms Winfred Mandeku, the LWF focal person for child protection.

“Several activities are carried out at the CFSs to rehabilitate children so that they can rediscover their socializing skills by playing games and learning to interact and share positive experiences with their peers. Our trained caregivers offer psycho-social support to improve the mental wellbeing of the children. The CFSs also help the caregivers to identify children who need protection from physical and psychological abuse. For children who need support to access other services, appropriate referrals are made to the different service points, with follow-ups made by the child protection caseworkers,” she added.

At Kiryandongo, Mohmm and her sister Kahaan are part of 125 children who are being helped to learn English, count, draw and shade pictures to improve their abilities to speak, write and engage in active sport while bonding with their peers.

“I love to come here (the CFSs) to meet and interact with my newfound friends. We are allowed to play various games including football and netball. We also play board games, and our facilitators give us learning materials to read and write,” stated Mohmm, who wants to be a nurse when she grows up.

The Kiryandongo Reception Centre Mobile CFS, just like others spread out in the settlement, has two facilitators male and female. Irene Achola, one of them, has witnessed firsthand how the CFSs are transforming the lives of these war affected children.

“Many children brought here could hardly speak. They were withdrawn and exhibited signs of deep fear. We could tell that they were traumatized by the effects of war. The CFSs have helped them to open up and enjoy their lives again, which is very encouraging to those of us who are giving the social care support,” she said.

“UNICEF support also helps LWF to identify and train caregivers of children with disabilities. So far, 29 caregivers have been trained to offer counselling services and social support to refugee parents to change their attitude towards their children as part of the positive parenting sessions. This is because concerns about neglect, poor feeding and lack of medical care were documented among families of children living with disabilities. We encourage parents to seek support and services for their children in a timely manner,” Mandeku said.

LWF is also utilizing UNICEF support to set up women and girls’ safe spaces where they can be given some life skills. The spaces also serve as counselling centres for females at risk of Gender Based Violence – and its survivors.

“At these spaces, we engage newly arrived female refugees in both soft and hard skilling activities. The soft part caters to their freedom of expression in order for them to openly share their experiences and challenges and find solutions. They are also given skills in tailoring, soap making and backyard farming practices,” Mandeku added.

UNICEF support has also helped LWF to train another 99 women and 21 foster families to acquire skills in business management. These skills include bookkeeping and financial literacy to empower them to be self-reliant and provide the basic needs of their families. This reduces vulnerability and helps lower sexual exploitation, abuse and Gender Based Violence. They are also trained to report cases of abuse by using the inter-agency Feedback, Referral and Resolution Mechanism (FRRM) line 0800323232 which is operational within the refugee settlement, and Sauti 116 for the host communities.

According to Mandeku, the women are given conditional monetary grants each to start-up businesses of their choice in order to sustain themselves and their families upon completion of training.

The foster families, according to Mandeku, are carefully selected following strict procedures in order to care for unaccompanied and separated children living within the refugee settlement. 

Many of these children’s parents were killed and others separated from their families in the stampede and fleeing caused by the war.

Ms Nabila Ajilan (49), a single mother of three children, heads one of the foster families and takes care of two teenage refugee girls. Maaza Ather (17) is in Senior One at Panyadoli Self Help Secondary School while Arisa Jafar (15) arrived at Kiryandongo on 6th October 2024 and is yet to enroll in school. Both girls lost their parents and family members before they fled the war from different parts of Sudan.

“We like our new mother. We are quite stubborn, but she looks after us well. We are happy to be here, living in peace,” said the more talkative of the two, Ather.

As for Ajilan, all she wants is to see her newly adopted daughters studying hard to become responsible citizens of the world. “I want these girls to become doctors. I will be the happiest woman if my dream is realised,” she said, hugging the girls.

The government of Uganda through the Office of The Prime Minister (OPM) has welcomed UNICEF’s support to UNHCR’s implementing partner, LWF, and the various interventions that have been put in place at Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement. The OPM team, led by the Commandant of the Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, Mr Emmanuel Turyagyenda, said that at the beginning of the year, they faced an emergency following a huge influx of over 10,000 Sudanese refugees.

“We have managed to settle many of the refugees in the different cluster villages within the settlement and a limited number remain at our reception centre. All this has been possible because of the support from our partners UNICEF, LWF and UNHCR,” stated Shamil Adam, a Community-Based Protection Officer at OPM.

Editor:msserwanga@gmail.com

European Union Ambassadors Tour Kiira Vehicle Plant As Kiira Motors Champions E- Mobility In Africa

 

The Heads of Mission of the European Union led by Ambassador Jan Sadek who is the Head of the EU Delegation to Uganda have toured the Kiira Vehicle Plant in Jinja aboard the 2024 model Kayoola fully electric Coach in a marked endorsement of the country’s E- mobility solutions.

They were received by the Kiira Motors Corporation (KMC) management team led by the  CEO Mr.  Paul Isaac Musasizi. 

The Ambassadors  appreciated  the KMC management for putting in place a  skilling program for  e-bus operators and building a world-class automobile engineering and parts manufacturing facility – all while creating sustainable employment opportunities for the people of Uganda.

The Kiira Vehicle Plant is the biggest, most capable and most competent bus manufacturing plant on the African Continent.

“This plant unlocks unprecedented opportunity for import substitution, job creation, technology transfer, and ultimately, contributing toward the realization of Uganda’s ambition of the 10 fold growth from an economy of USD 50bn to USD 500bn by2040,’” Mr. Musasizi said in a presentation .

“The Kiira Vehicle Plant is a symbol of what we can achieve when we come together with purpose.  Every nut, bolt, and beam on the plant represents opportunity. Opportunity for families, communities, and for a brighter, more sustainable future for Africa. It represents the chance to produce something we can all be proud of—a vehicle that moves people, connects lives, a vehicle that drives change, “ he added .

The writer is a Stakeholder Engagements , Media and Communications Consultant and Advocate of the High Court of Uganda

 Email:msserwanga@gmail.com

Uganda Airlines New Direct flights To Abuja Excite West Africa ,To Boost Trade And Enhance Connectivity On The African Continent

 

By Moses Sserwanga

Entebbe, Uganda – The national carrier  -Uganda Airlines now on a steady path to open up the minerals rich African continent has recorded another major milestone  by launching direct flights to the commercial hub of West Africa – Abuja Nigeria.

 

Later this month the airline ,hardly five years in operation will spread its wings to Lusaka Zambia and Harare Zimbabwe. Executives at the airline, led by CEO Jennifer Bamuturaki, say the latest routes-opening is part of  a broader strategy to expand its services across the vast African continent to boost trade and enhance regional connectivity- a corner stone of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA,) development agenda.

 

Fred K. Bamwesigye, the Director General of the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (UCAA), the national air travel regulator was elated by Uganda Airlines latest achievement in a short period of time  -noting marked growth of Uganda’s aviation system and its potential to foster deeper ties between Uganda and West Africa.

 

Bamwesigye highlighted the instrumental role played by the UCAA in facilitating Uganda Airlines' growth and expansion. The authority has been a strong partner in ensuring that Uganda Airlines adheres to the highest standards of safety, security, and service throughout its operations.

“We are committed to supporting Uganda Airlines through this process and in its future expansion plans,” Bamwesigye stated while explaining that the UCAA's role goes beyond regulatory oversight, offering strategic guidance and infrastructure development to accommodate the airline’s growing needs.

 This has been particularly crucial in securing the success of the Abuja route, as well as Uganda Airlines’ planned expansion to other African and international destinations.

 

The launch of the Entebbe-Abuja route comes a year after Uganda Airlines introduced flights to Lagos, Nigeria making it the 14th destination on a growing list of its network. This new connection is expected to enhance trade between the two nations, enabling faster and more efficient movement of goods and people.

 

The inaugural UR 900 service to Abuja departed Entebbe at 16:00 hours on September 12, with a  same-day arrival at Abuja Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 18:15.

“We are proud to be living up to our promise to take Nigeria to Uganda and bring Uganda to Nigeria, Abuja is now our 14th point as we embark on our expansion plan,” a jovial , Jenifer Bamuturaki, stated.

“Abuja is our second destination in Nigeria and the fourteenth overall in our network. Its launch  underscores our continuing commitment to ease travel across Africa by providing efficient and affordable air services to facilitate business, tourism, and leisure travel,” Bamuturaki added.

The new route to Abuja will feed into the  Lagos service reducing the travel lead times further, and- available on Thursday and Sunday –while flying national carrier’s flagship Airbus A330-800neo aircraft.

Fred Byamukama, the Minister of State for Works, said this development and others that will follow validate the government’s foresight and strategic vision in its decision to restart the national carrier five years ago.

“Africa is severely disconnected, which makes cooperation and commerce very difficult and expensive. In the absence of efficient and functional road, rail and waterways, air transport is the low-hanging fruit as member states move to implement the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA,)” Byamukama stated.

 “Abuja is a major economic and political centre in Nigeria that plays a crucial role in bilateral cooperation between Uganda and Nigeria. By establishing a route there, Uganda Airlines is enhancing connectivity between the two countries,” he said, adding that increasing air connectivity within Africa will help reduce travel times, lower costs, and improve accessibility across the continent.

He said this will facilitate trade, investment, and economic cooperation, benefiting businesses and the overall economy in both Uganda and Nigeria.

“Direct flights to Abuja will increase Uganda Airlines’ catchment area in the country and make it easier for tourists from Nigeria to visit Uganda and vice versa.

This will boost Uganda’s tourism sector by increasing the flow of Nigerian visitors. Although Nigerian movies have already introduced Ugandans to Nigerian culture, the availability of flights will take cultural interaction between Ugandans and Nigerians to the next level,” he added.

He added that this new flight shows Uganda’s commitment to delivering Africa’s continental integration agenda through enhanced mutual accessibility.

Abuja  launch will be  followed by Lusaka and Harare starting September 25. Officials said the new services will support revenue growth, improve fleet utilization and primes the carrier for planned expansion into Europe and Asia.

“The entry into these markets is meant to build an efficient-optimised regional market which will feed and finance a more profitable long-haul market; grow the aircraft fleet utilisation, create a robust regional network that will serve as a feeder for the Uganda Airlines’ long-haul market, especially London, Mumbai, Guangzhou and Dubai and most importantly support Uganda Airline’s Africa network connectivity,” chief executive Jenifer Bamuturaki told  media earlier  in Kampala.

The new routes expand the network to 16 destinations, 14 of them in Africa, one in the Middle East and another to Mumbai, India.

“Launching these routes marks the successful conclusion of our 3-year strategic plan, paving the way for the next phase of our 10-year rolling plan. This strategic approach ensures that our expansion is not just a leap of faith but a well-thought-out progression,” said chief executive Jenifer Bamuturaki.

Lusaka and Harare will be served four times a week in a carefully mapped route operation that will see flights alternate between Entebbe-Lusaka-Harare-Entebbe on two days.

Uganda Airlines Chief Commercial Officer, Adedayo Olawuyi, said Abuja’s central location in Nigeria, will make the service attractive to travellers from the country’s northern states, who will now have shorter flights out of Nigeria. Three quarters of international airlines flying to Nigeria prefer to land in the commercial capital, Lagos, leaving a huge connectivity gap in Abuja.

Adedayo added that the new services will improve aircraft utilisation, taking average daily flying time of the CRJ fleet to 9.6 hours and the Airbus A330-800s to 8 hours.

What it means for the traveler

These carefully mapped out routes are a game changer for air travel in Africa. Uganda Airlines’ new service for instance will instantly eliminate the hirtherto connectivity nightmare that travelers in Africa faced by flying to Europe before connecting to their preferred destinations within Africa .

Now,  travelers from Nigeria’s central, northern, and northeastern regions can have direct flights offered by  Uganda Airlines to destinations such as  Nairobi, Dar es Salaam, Mombasa, Mogadishu, Mumbai, and Dubai . Uganda Airlines flights come at a fair price and with significantly reduced travel lead time.

Editor:msserwanga@gmail.com