The Uganda Water and Sanitation Network (UWASNET), in partnership with the Ministry of Water and Environment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Sports, the Austrian Development Agency, and other development partners, has officially launched the inaugural Uganda WASH Impact and Influence Awards.
The awards aim to recognize and celebrate excellence, innovation, and commitment among individuals and institutions that are driving progress in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Uganda.
Despite notable progress in improving water and sanitation access, over 30 million Ugandans still lack access to safely managed sanitation. Additionally, many continue to face water scarcity, poor hygiene services, and increasing challenges linked to climate change.
According to Martin Kityo, Liaison and Networking Officer at UWASNET, the awards are designed to serve as a strategic platform to: Recognize Excellence; Promote Accountability; Stimulate Innovation and Inclusion; Raise Awareness and Foster Partnerships
“This initiative is more than an event—it is a national movement to institutionalize impact, influence, and recognition within the WASH ecosystem,” Kityo said.
“UWASNET urges media professionals and platforms across the country to take up this cause, share these stories, and help spotlight the champions transforming lives through WASH.”
The Uganda WASH Impact and Influence Awards will feature multiple categories to acknowledge the breadth of contributions across the sector, including: Programmatic Impact Award; Youth-Led WASH Initiative Award; Technology, Innovation, and WASH Financing Award; Media Excellence Award; Research and Academia Award and Lifetime Achievement Award in WASH.
Nominations can be submitted by organizations, colleagues, government agencies, academic institutions, or individuals who have directly witnessed the nominee’s contributions. Self-nominations are also welcome.