Young Water Professionals a group of young professionals passionate about water hygiene and the environment have in partnership with National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) launched a handwashing campaign aimed at promoting hygiene, sanitation and health among school-going children.
The campaign was launched last Friday at a colourful ceremony presided over by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water and Environment, Mr Alfred Okot Okidi. The launch coincided with the 3rd edition of the annual School Water and Sanitation clubs convention organised by NWSC at Ggaba in Kampala. The event was attended by more than 3,000 students from over 100 schools across the country.
Speaking at the launch, Mr Okidi applauded the youth for coming up with this initiative.
“Promoting handwashing among children will help reduce the spread of diseases and costs in treatment,” Mr Okidi said, adding that his ministry will support the campaign.
NWSC managing director Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, a mentor to the group, said children are vulnerable to contracting hygiene-related diseases. He assured the youths of the corporation’s support.
During the launch, students exhibited innovations and technology at the exhibition stall, presented water and sanitation poems, skits, plays, drama as well as songs aimed at protecting the environment.
About the group
The Young Water Professionals Uganda chapter is hosted by NWSC and is affiliated to the International Young Water Professionals, International Water Association and the African Water Association. The club president, John Fisher Sekabira, and secretary general Vivian Newumbe said the club will roll out the hand washing campaign in various schools across the country.
Meanwhile, during the 3rd edition of the annual school water and sanitation convention, held on the same day, the students exhibited innovations and technology at the exhibition stall, presented water and sanitation poems,skits, plays, drama, songs aimed at protecting the environment. Several winners were awarded.
The Winners:
1.Primary water and Sanitation Quiz
•2nd runner up-Greenhill Academy (Shs 1m)
•1st Runner up-Budo Junior school (Shs 1.5m)
•Winner: Kampala Parents School (Shs 2m)
Secondary School water and sanitation Quiz
•2nd runner up: St. Kizito SS Bugolobi (Shs 1m)
•1st Runner up- Gayaza High School (Shs 1.5m)
•Winner: Nabisunsa Girls School (Shs 2m)
2. Water and Sanitation Technology and Innovations
*Primary
•2nd runner up Budo Junior school (Shs 1m)
•1st Runner up- Buganda Road Primary School (Shs 1.5m)
•Winner-Greenhill Academy (Shs 2m)
*Secondary
•2nd runner up-St Peter’s Nsambya SSS (1million shs)
•1st Runner up-St. Mary’s College Kisubi (1.5million shs)
•Winner-Namiyango College (2million shs)
3. Water and Sanitation Essay writing Competion
Primary
•2nd runner up-Namilyango Junior school (Shs 1m)
•1st Runner up- Kabojja Junior school (Shs 1.5)
•Winner-Greenhill Academy (Shs 2m)
*Secondary
•2nd runner up-Tororo Girls School (Shs 1m)
•1st Runner up- Kings College Buddo (Shs 1.5m)
•Winner- Namilyango College School (Shs 2m)
3. Best School, Water and sanitation community impact Campaign
*Primary
•2nd runner up- St Jude Primary school, Hoima (Shs 1m)
•1st Runner up- Hillside Primary School Natalya (Shs 1.5m)
•Winner-Budo Junior School (Shs 2m)
*Secondary
•2nd runner up- St. Peter’s Nsambya SSS (Shs 1m)
•1st Runner up- St Marys College Kisubi (Shs 1.5m)
•Winner- Kings College Budo (Shs 2m)
4. Water and Sanitation Skits
*Primary
•2nd runner up-Budo Junior School (Shs 1m)
•1st runner up- Shalom Primary School Kapchorwa (Shs 1.5m)
•Winner- Hill Road Public School Masaka (Shs 2m)
*Secondary
•2nd runner up-Kangole Girls School Napak Karamoja (Shs 1M)
•1st runner up-Namilyango College School (Shs 1.5m)
•Winner-Mt.St Mary’s Namagunga Girls School (Shs 2m)
The overall winners per region won an all expenses paid trip abroad to benchmark on some of the latest innovations and technologies in water and Sanitation.
*West and South Western region-Parental Care School Bushenyi
*North and Eastern Region-Aduku Primary School
Global best Performance:
*Greenhill Academy, Kampala
*Immaculate Heart High School, Rukungiri
*Jeressar High School, Soroti
*Namilyango College School, Mukono
* St.Kizito SSS Bugolobi, Kampala
