Safe2Sip campaign to boost access to clean drinking water among school children

KAMPALA - Vivo Energy and Purifaaya have unveiled ‘Safe2Sip’, a safe drinking water campaign aimed at boosting access to clean drinking water for thousands of school-going children.

The joint campaign, launched from Kibuye Primary School in Makindye, Kampala district, is expected to equip public schools with Purifaaya drinking water filters to provide pupils with a constant supply of clean, safe drinking water.

The launch was graced by officials from Kampala Capital City Authority’s Directorate of Education and Social Services, Vivo Energy Uganda and Spouts of Water.

Speaking during the event, Joanita Mukasa Menya, managing director of Vivo Energy Uganda, emphasised the wider vision of the initiative.

“Access to safe drinking water is foundational to both health and learning. By investing in schools, we are directly investing in the next generation. The ‘Safe2Sip’ campaign partnership reflects our deep commitment to education, public health, and sustainability, and contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals on good health and wellbeing, quality education, clean water and sanitation, and climate action for our country,” Joanita noted.

Meanwhile, Michael Nana Yaw Nimoh, Country Director of Spouts of Water, commended the partnership that seeks to improve the health of school-going children.

“We are proud to work alongside Vivo Energy Uganda to support schools that need this intervention the most. Every filter installed takes us one step closer to a Uganda where no child misses class due to unsafe water. It’s a straightforward solution, but one with lifelong benefits,” he stated.

Sarah Namutebi, the headteacher of Kibuye Primary School, expressed her appreciation for the campaign, highlighting that for years, their pupils have struggled with the effects of unsafe drinking water.

Pupils of Kibuye Primary School with Vivo Energy staff and partners.

“Some of our pupils would fall sick, others would miss school for days. Today, we finally have a solution that will change that story. Thanks to Vivo Energy Uganda and Purifaaya, our children can now drink clean water and focus on learning. This is more than a donation; it’s hope for a healthier future.”

Statistics by ministry of health

Recent statistics from the Ministry of Health reveal the scale of the challenge: Uganda records an estimated 89,000 cases of waterborne illness and 3,000 related deaths each year, with school-age children among the most affected.

These illnesses, such as diarrhoea, typhoid, and cholera, not only threaten health but also keep thousands of pupils out of class, undermining their learning outcomes.

Each selected school will receive between seven and ten Purifaaya drinking water filters, capable of providing over 525 litres of clean water at any given time.

The initiative will be accompanied by training sessions for teachers and students in hygiene, primary healthcare, and safe water practices to promote Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) standards.

The partnership, implemented in coordination with local district education authorities, will enhance access to clean drinking water for thousands of children, thereby reducing disease prevalence and improving learning outcomes.