New solar-hybrid water systems end years of shortage for refugees in kiryandongo

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For years, families in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement have struggled to get enough water to live on. Each person had access to only about nine litres a day, less than half of what’s needed for drinking, cooking, and washing.

Many people walked long distances under the hot sun, waiting in long lines for a few jerrycans of water that often ran out before everyone had their turn.

Now, that daily struggle is starting to ease. Two new solar-hybrid water systems powered by the sun during the day and backup diesel generators at night, or during cloudy weather, have been built in the settlement, bringing clean water much closer to people’s homes.

The water systems, built by UNICEF, the European Union and the Lutheran World Federation, use solar power and fuel engines to pump water from underground wells into large storage tanks. From there, pipes carry the water to taps placed around the community.

The solar-hybrid water systems (completed in just three months, from July to October 2025) are already serving populations in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement, which hosts approximately 165,000 refugees who have fled insecurity in South Sudan, Sudan, DR Congo, and Kenya.

Life before and after

Habib Ahmad, who fled conflict in Sudan earlier this year, remembers how difficult life used to be.

Laul Marol , a 11 year old boy enjoying the water straight from the tap stand constructed by UNICEF with funding from European Union at cluster I in kiryandongo refugee settlement on 14.10.2025 , like Marol children in this community race towards the sound of rushing water, their laughter echoing across the camp as they cup their hands to drink, splash their faces, and wash the dust from their legs, a simple joy made possible by clean, running water.

“I used to walk three kilometres just to get water,” he said. “It took half the day. Now I only walk a few minutes, and I’m done.”

Before the new water systems were built, water trucks were the main source of supply, but they were expensive and often delayed. When that happened, people fetched water from open wells, which were unsafe and made children sick.

Today, clean water flows from 22 public taps serving tens of thousands of refugees and nearby Ugandan families. Canrom Primary School within the refugee settlement, which has about 4,000 pupils, is also using the water for drinking, handwashing, and improving personal hygiene for all learners.

Support and impact

Liam Kelly, the Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Uganda, said the project shows how sustainable solutions can improve daily life.

“By investing in solar energy and resilient water systems, we are building a better future for the most vulnerable, and helping communities meet their daily needs while protecting the environment,” he said.

Dr Robin Nandy, the UNICEF’s Representative in Uganda, highlighted the human benefits of reliable water access.

“Access to clean water is a fundamental right for children and their families,” he said.

“Now that the two systems have been completed, we are optimistic that the refugees and host communities will no longer have to trek long hours in search of this basic service.”

Beyond improved access, new solar-hybrid water systems are delivering significant health and social benefits. With taps nearby, women and children no longer spend hours searching for water. That means more time for school, income-generating activities and family.

The solar water systems have also helped reduce waterborne diseases by encouraging handwashing, which is helping prevent diarrheal diseases and skin infections within the community.