For years, families in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement woke up before dawn to fetch water, walking for hours under the scorching sun just to fill a jerrycan. Among them was 30-year-old Habib Ahmad, a refugee from Sudan who arrived in Uganda early this year. “I used to spend almost the whole day walking three kilometres to fetch water,” he recalls with relief. “Now I only walk a few metres, and within 10 to 15 minutes I’m done. UNICEF and the European Union have solved our water problem. People were really suffering.” His story captures the joy and transformation that has swept through the settlement in recent months.

More than 165,000 refugees in Kiryandongo are now enjoying safe and reliable access to clean water following the installation of two new solar-hybrid piped water systems, a milestone that has ended years of struggle and unsafe water collection. The project, funded by the European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with the Lutheran World Federation, represents a lifeline for both refugees and the surrounding host communities in Uganda’s mid-western region. Completed between July and October 2025, the systems are already up and running in Clusters C and G, serving families from Sudan, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kenya who fled conflict in search of peace and safety.

According to Liam Kelly, Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Uganda, the initiative reflects a broader vision to integrate sustainability into humanitarian action. “This project demonstrates the European Union’s commitment to greening its humanitarian aid through sustainable and life-saving assistance to refugees and their host communities,” he explained. “By investing in solar energy and resilient water systems, we are building a better future for the most vulnerable.” His remarks underline how the EU is rethinking aid delivery by embracing renewable energy to address long-term needs in crisis settings.

The solar-hybrid systems operate through deep production wells fitted with solar-powered submersible pumps. To ensure uninterrupted service, they are backed by diesel generators that kick in during the night or cloudy weather. Water is then transmitted through 2.6 kilometres of underground pipes to two massive hilltop reservoirs with a combined capacity of 108 cubic metres. From there, it flows through 4.6 kilometres of distribution pipelines feeding 22 public standposts spread across the settlement, all offering free, clean water. It’s a simple yet powerful model that is changing daily life for thousands.

Before the installation, Kiryandongo’s refugees were living on barely 9 litres of water per person each day, less than half the Sphere humanitarian standard of 20 litres. The new systems now promise to close that gap, ensuring that families can drink, cook, clean, and bathe without compromising their health or dignity. “Access to clean water is a fundamental right for every child and their family,” emphasized Dr. Robin Nandy, UNICEF’s Representative in Uganda. “With these systems now complete, refugees and host communities no longer have to spend hours searching for water. This partnership with the European Union has been instrumental in ensuring around-the-clock access to safe and clean water.”

The benefits extend far beyond convenience. For women and children, the primary water collectors — the change is life-altering. Freed from long and exhausting journeys, women can now focus on small businesses and childcare, while children can attend school without the daily disruption of water collection. “When water is within reach, families stay healthier, children attend school regularly, and women can engage in productive work,” Dr. Nandy added. This improvement in access also means a decline in waterborne diseases and better hygiene, especially in crowded environments like Canrom Primary School, which alone serves more than 4,000 learners within the settlement.

The water project has also replaced the expensive and unsustainable practice of water trucking, which had become the main source of supply after a massive influx of refugees in 2023 overwhelmed the settlement’s infrastructure. The solar-hybrid system, by contrast, is cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and capable of meeting the growing demand for years to come. For Uganda — home to Africa’s largest refugee population, it represents yet another step toward ensuring that refugees live with dignity, safety, and opportunity.

As the evening sun sets over Kiryandongo, the sound of children laughing near the standposts has replaced the weary silence of endless treks for water. Habib Ahmad, once burdened by the weight of a jerrycan and the uncertainty of tomorrow, now speaks with quiet pride. “Life feels easier now,” he says. “Water is life, and we finally have it.” In a settlement once defined by scarcity, hope now flows freely, powered by the sun, driven by partnership, and sustained by the promise of a better future.