In rural Uganda, two-thirds of people still lack access to safe water. Every sip is a gamble, and it is women and girls who lose the most. That’s why the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) has just broken ground on a new project, which will advance health and equality using solar-powered water systems in rural Uganda.

This project, now underway in the Bukyerimba region, will deliver safe drinking water through a solar-powered tower and three distribution points—along with solar streetlights to make collection safer after dark. Hundreds of people will soon gain clean water close to home, building on the success of our first Bukyerimba system installed in 2019.

The Challenge: Rural Water Scarcity in Uganda

For millions of people across rural Uganda, the daily search for water is long, exhausting, and often dangerous. People walk miles to collect water from sources that are often contaminated. This fuels waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery, which remain leading causes of illness.

The burden falls most heavily on women and girls. Long treks to distant water sources not only strip away educational and economic opportunities but also expose them to the risk of gender-based violence along the way.

Traditional fixes, such as diesel-powered pumps, are expensive to operate and environmentally unsustainable. Grid electricity rarely reaches beyond urban centers. That means bringing electricity and clean water to rural regions requires a different approach.

The Solution: How Solar-Powered Water Systems Work

Solar-powered water systems harness the abundant sunlight of Uganda to pump and distribute safe water. Panels generate electricity, which powers a pump that fills an elevated tower. From there, water flows by gravity to public access points, making collection quick and efficient.

By pairing the system with solar streetlights, families can safely fetch water after dark. Unlike diesel-powered pumps, solar-powered water systems require minimal maintenance and zero fuel, making them both cost-effective and sustainable for the long term.

These benefits explain the success of solar-powered water systems in rural Uganda. Systems like these are increasingly recognized as a cornerstone of rural development—improving health, safety, and opportunity beyond the grid.

Bukyerimba: From Success to Expansion

In 2018, SELF began partnering with the Rape Hurts Foundation (RHF), a nonprofit based in Bukyerimba, Uganda that combats sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV). A year later, SELF installed the region’s first solar-powered water system. That system expanded clean water access to 2,000 people and has:

• Restored health, with fewer cases of waterborne disease reported
• Returned time, as women and girls no longer spend their days collecting water, freeing up hours for school, work, and family
• Improved safety, due to shorter, safer walks with less exposure to violence

Now, SELF is expanding into an adjoining community. The new installation includes:

• A solar-powered water tower
• Three public water stations
• Solar-powered streetlights

The impact of this project for local families is profound, and it builds on SELF’s broader efforts to leverage renewable energy for rural development across Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Looking Ahead

Construction is underway, and families in the village will soon turn on taps fueled by the sun. For communities that have never had safe water close to home, this is a life-changing moment.

At SELF, we believe that energy is the thread that ties everything together. By combining solar power with clean water, we’re helping rural communities in Uganda build stronger, safer, and healthier futures. To see how solar supports food security, healthcare, livelihoods, and more, explore our impact page.

Join Us

This work is only possible because of your support. Together, we can bring more solar-powered water systems to rural Uganda, ensuring every family has access to safe, clean water.

Donate today to help us power brighter futures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a solar-powered water system?

A solar-powered water system uses solar energy to pump and distribute water. These systems can be designed in various ways. SELF’s solar-powered water systems typically pump water to an elevated storage tank. Water is then gravity-fed to public taps. Learn more about solar-powered water access.

What makes solar-powered water systems sustainable?

Solar-powered water systems use renewable energy and have low operating costs, unlike diesel pumps that depend on costly fuel. This makes them more environmentally and financially sustainable for rural communities.

Why are solar-powered water systems important in rural Uganda?

Rural areas often don’t have access to the electric grid. Solar is affordable, low-maintenance, and capable of powering water access close to home.

How does water access affect women and girls?

In communities where water is scarce, women and girls are traditionally tasked with collecting water and bringing it back for their families, often from far-off sources. This robs women and girls of their time and exposes them to danger—including gender-based violence—along the way. Improving access to clean water close to home mitigates these issues.