KAMPALA | August 13, 2025 – In just two days, the clock runs out.
But the mission isn’t just about deadlines. It’s about lives, millions of them.
As the August 15 submission deadline nears for Uganda’s first-ever WASH Impact and Influence Awards, a quiet but powerful movement is gaining momentum: to celebrate the often-invisible individuals working tirelessly to provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) to a country where over 30 million people still lack safe sanitation.
Launched in May by the Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET), in partnership with key government ministries and development partners, the awards aim to put the spotlight not on policy, but on the people turning that policy into reality: the health workers, youth organizers, researchers, and innovators who are changing lives, one latrine or clean water point at a time.
At a press briefing in Kampala last May, Martin Kityo, Liaison and Networking Officer at UWASNET, did not mince words:
“This initiative is more than a ceremony; it’s a movement to institutionalize excellence and impact in WASH. We’re calling on storytellers, journalists, communities, and governments alike to recognize those working behind the scenes to save lives.”
The need is urgent. Uganda remains far from achieving its national WASH targets, with rural areas hit hardest. In schools, children still fall sick from unsafe water. In informal settlements, overflowing toilets are more common than access to soap. The stakes aren’t just medical; they’re economic, educational, and existential.
Celebrating the Frontline, Not the Famous
Unlike traditional awards that often reward institutions or top-level leadership, the WASH Awards are deliberately grassroots in focus, spotlighting real changemakers on the ground. The six award categories reflect this ethos.
The Programmatic Impact category celebrates community-based programs that have tangibly improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Youth-led WASH Initiatives honor young people who are mobilizing their peers and leading innovative, local solutions.
Technology, Innovation, and Financing category highlights digital tools, breakthrough technologies, and financial models that are reshaping how WASH services are delivered and sustained.
In Media Excellence, the awards recognize journalists and storytellers whose coverage has shifted public attitudes, sparked dialogue, and influenced policy in the WASH sector.
Research and Academia elevates the work of scholars whose evidence-based insights are driving new understanding and more effective policymaking.
Finally, the Lifetime Achievement category pays tribute to individuals whose decades-long commitment has transformed communities and inspired generations.
“Recognizing those who make a difference is how we build momentum for change,” said Dr. Jane Nakanwagi, a member of the multi-sectoral advisory board. “These awards are about rewarding dedication and inspiring innovation.”
Behind the awards is a growing coalition of collaborators, including the Ministry of Water and Environment, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Sports, the Austrian Development Agency, and other international and local stakeholders.
An independent judging panel, made up of experts across sectors, will evaluate nominations based on measurable impact, innovation, and scalability.
One Week Left: How to Nominate a WASH Hero
Nominations remain open through August 15, 2025. Submissions must include a summary of achievements and supporting materials such as photos, testimonials, or reports. The application form is available via https://bit.ly/wash-awards.
Eligible nominees range from NGOs and CBOs to independent researchers, teachers, health workers, and youth advocates. Journalists, too, are being encouraged to submit work that has raised awareness of WASH challenges in Uganda’s media landscape, print, radio, television, and digital platforms included.
“We want to recognize storytellers who help Ugandans understand that clean water and safe sanitation are not luxuries, they are human rights,” said Sarah Namutebi, a communications expert with the Ministry of Health.
Though these are the inaugural awards, organizers are already thinking long-term. Beyond the trophies and applause, the goal is to create a culture of accountability, innovation, and pride in WASH efforts, especially in the face of declining international donor funding.
“WASH is at the heart of sustainable development,” Kityo said. “By celebrating what works—and who’s behind it—we can accelerate progress toward a healthier, more resilient Uganda.”
The awards ceremony is scheduled for October 3, 2025, and will bring together government leaders, development partners, innovators, and community voices under one roof to celebrate the achievements and re-energize the mission ahead.