Ablution, a simple, certain and obligatory pattern of washing one’s body parts before prayer, is out of humility and respect for the Almighty in the Muslim religion which believes that one should prepare appear before the Almighty with a clean heart, mind, and body.

So in a Muslim founded institution like Islamic University in Uganda (IUIU)-Mbale campus, reliable water supply is at the centre stage of the institution’s development agenda.

The fully fledged university founded in 1988 records a number of over 12,000 students and 600 staff. According to the 2018 data from the NWSC customer data base, the water supplied to this institution averaged at 3,000,000 litres per month against an estimated water demand of 12,000,000 litres per month. It goes without saying that the water supply was clearly inadequate  in relation to the daily water needs at the institution and hence the need for a water supply improvement project.

As an immediate intervention, Mbale technical team conducted a detailed reconnaissance survey and detailed hydraulic design which led to this quick-win intervention to ensure reliable water supply at this institution. This intervention included laying of a dedicated DN150 water main from near Buyonjo road to the existing elevated water tank at IUIU university. This project was completed in the February 2021 and the was supply to the university is stable. However , the team did not only stop there but embarked on more projects meant to cater to other water stressed communities in Mbale some of which include;

Silting, drilling and development of Nakaloke booster station which improved water supply reliability in Nakaloke trading centre, laying a 2Km water distribution in Kasanja, mains intensification to stabilise water supply in Senkulu zone Nkoma, interconnection works to improve water supply in Kiteso, Gangama and Kasanvu under Nkoma branch, (4) interconnection works to solve no water in Namatala, Kikormojo and Half-London, water production improvement at Bungokho and Manafwa water works, Modification works at Nasenyi booster station to improve supply in Kamonkooli, Nasenyi, Kabwangasi and Butebo
areas and, enhanced fight against water theft through the PURGE program among others.

With these projects, Mbale Area’s management has managed to provide reliable services to the previously water stressed areas like IUIU university, Nakaloke Trading centre, Kiteso, Gangama, Half-london, Namatala and generally the greater part of Mbale city. The water supply hours have improved from the previous thirteen (13) hours to an average of twenty-one (21) hours
per day.