The launch of the Ateker Development Foundation Multi-Actor Partnership (ADEFO – MAP II) in Kapelebyong District took a significant step beyond agricultural development with the announcement of the RISE WASH Project to be implemented at Adepar Primary School in Acinga Sub-County.
The initiative, spearheaded by the Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organization (SOCADIDO), is set to transform water, sanitation, and hygiene practices in the community.
The UGX 226 million project, funded by Atlas Copco through the German-based organization Just a Drop, is designed to run from January 2026 to February 2027. It targets 1,028 pupils and 160 households surrounding the school, with a particular focus on improving menstrual health management for 620 adolescent girls.
Wilbroad Amodoi, Project Coordinator for WASH, explained that the intervention aims to provide sustainable access to safe water and hygiene facilities while empowering pupils and the wider community to adopt better sanitation practices.
“This project is about more than infrastructure; it is about equipping children and their families with the knowledge and tools to maintain healthy and hygienic lifestyles,” Amodoi said.
Key components of the RISE WASH Project include the construction of two inclusive pit latrines with incinerators for girls, addressing long-standing challenges related to menstrual hygiene in schools.
The project will also drill a hand pump borehole and rehabilitate a nearby community water source, ensuring reliable access to safe water for both students and surrounding households.
In addition, SOCADIDO will establish school health clubs to train pupils in reusable pad and soap making. The initiative also promotes market-based sanitation approaches, encouraging community ownership and sustainability of the facilities and practices introduced.
Daniel Akudo, SOCADIDO’s Programme Manager, reaffirmed the organization’s long-standing commitment to development in Teso, highlighting its 45-year track record of supporting agricultural, environmental, and social programs in the region.
“Our mission has always been to empower communities to become self-reliant through sustainable agriculture, business practices, clean water, health advocacy, and land rights protection,” Akudo said. “RISE WASH builds on this legacy by integrating health, hygiene, and education into broader community development efforts.”
The project launch also featured remarks from local government leaders, who welcomed the initiative as a critical addition to Kapelebyong’s development agenda. They urged communities to actively participate in the project, noting that local engagement is key to ensuring long-term success.
The RISE WASH Project represents a holistic approach to development, addressing immediate needs while laying the foundation for healthier and more productive communities.
The project has improved on hygiene and sanitation in the communities of acinga at all .thanks so much for the support