Turning the Tide: How One Water Well Changed Life in Uganda’s Namwigalo Village

 Uganda, known as the “Pearl of Africa,” is celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes and abundant natural resources, especially water. Within its borders flow numerous rivers and vast lakes, including three of Africa’s Great Lakes: Victoria, Edward, and Albert. 

Yet despite this abundance, 83% of Ugandans lack access to clean, safe drinking water. According to the Uganda-based nonprofit Wells of Life, people spend an average of four to five hours each day fetching water. Many are forced to collect it from contaminated sources, putting themselves and their families at constant risk of waterborne diseases. 

In rural communities, illnesses such as cholera, diarrhea, and malaria are tragically common due to drinking from polluted surface water. These conditions often have fatal consequences, particularly for children. It is estimated that Uganda faces around 89,000 cases and 3,000 deaths annually from cholera alone. 

The long and dangerous journeys to collect water also pose serious safety risks. Women and children, who are primarily responsible for this task, often travel through isolated areas where they are vulnerable to attacks from animals or people with harmful intentions, especially after dark. 

Access to safe, reliable water is a fundamental human right, and Life for Relief and Development (LIFE) is helping to make that right a reality, one well at a time. From February 23 to April 21, 2025, LIFE planned and executed the Uganda Water Well Project, bringing hope to the village of Namwigalo in the Mbale District of Eastern Uganda. 

This new well now benefits over 2,000 residents, lifting a heavy burden that had weighed on the community for generations. The project was met with enthusiasm and gratitude from local leaders and residents alike. The local council provided guidance on the site selection, ensured security during construction, and verified the well’s safety through the district health inspector before its official opening. 

The appreciation was heartfelt. The local council chairperson shared how the community had long sought help for a well without success and how deeply relieved they were to finally have clean water. A youth representative expressed his joy, saying, “Water is life. Thank you, our dear LIFE donors, for giving us life.” 

Thanks to the generosity of LIFE’s donors, staff, volunteers, and the local community, the people of Namwigalo now have easier lives and brighter futures, proving that one well can truly change everything.