Kadaga Urges Service as CleanSIP Campaign Delivers Safe Water to Jinja Schools

What the report says

Nile Post reported that First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs Rebecca Alitwala Kadaga used Nelson Mandela Day commemorations in Jinja District to call for more community-focused leadership and investment in vulnerable groups, particularly schoolchildren. The event was held under the theme “Safe Water. Healthy Learners. Bright Future” and centred on improving access to safe drinking water in schools.

According to the report, the CleanSIP Campaign donated 250 ceramic water purification filters to five primary schools: Spire Road Primary School, Buwenda Primary School, Uganda Railway Primary School, Ripples of Hope Primary School and Lakesite Primary School. Kadaga said Mandela’s example pointed to service-oriented leadership and described safe water for learners as an investment in Uganda’s future.

The campaign was led by the Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Network Uganda in partnership with Spouts of Water, following a needs assessment that linked unsafe or inadequate drinking water in schools to illness, absenteeism and weaker learning outcomes. The event was attended by government leaders, the United States Embassy in Uganda, development partners, teachers, parents, learners and community members.

Nile Post said Kevan Higgins, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Uganda, reaffirmed support for young African leaders through the Young African Leaders Initiative Mandela Washington Fellowship. Alumni network president Bugingo Don Patrick urged schools to safeguard the filters for long-term use. Organisers said the initiative is expected to support healthier learning environments and reduce waterborne disease risks, while partners expressed hope that similar efforts could expand beyond Jinja.