Kampala, Uganda — Stakeholders from government, development agencies, and the private sector gathered at the Protea Hotel in Kampala to witness the launch of a partnership between Equity Bank Uganda and Water.org, a collaboration set to accelerate access to clean water and improved sanitation across the country.
Speaking at the event, Catherine Psomgen, Equity Bank Uganda’s Director of Public Sector and Social Investment, described the partnership as “a bold step in our journey to transform lives and livelihoods through inclusive and sustainable financial solutions.”
She highlighted that the initiative builds on the successful collaboration that began in 2011 between Water.org and Equity Bank Kenya, which pioneered innovative financing models such as the Maji Loan and Jamii Safi Loan, helping thousands of households and communities gain access to safe water and better sanitation. Building on that regional success, a 2023 assessment identified Uganda as a country with significant unmet demand for water and sanitation financing.
“The partnership therefore seeks to introduce affordable and accessible financial products tailored for the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector, an effort that aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 13 (Climate Action),” said Ms. Psomgen.
Through the collaboration, Equity Bank Uganda will deploy its EquiGreen Loan portfolio to finance water and sanitation initiatives for households, micro, small, and medium enterprises, as well as community-based organizations. The program also includes capacity building for bank staff, technical assistance from Water.org, and data-driven impact monitoring to ensure measurable social outcomes.
“Access to clean water is not just a basic need, it is a foundation for health, productivity, and economic empowerment,” said Ms. Psomgen. “Through this partnership, we are not only financing water and sanitation; we are also financing dignity, health, and opportunity.”
In his remarks, Francis Musinguzi, Water.org Africa Regional Director, noted that “water is not only a social service but also a primary factor for development. There is no project you can run that is not linked to water.” He underscored the importance of local partnerships and self-driven investments, noting that “68% of Ugandans don’t have access to clean water, and to reduce this gap, we require about UGX 10 trillion every year. That is why Water.org sought the partnership of a financial institution to help finance solutions.”
Mr. Musinguzi emphasized that sustainable financing, digital innovation, and strong ecosystems are key to expanding water networks and creating lasting impact.
Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner for Water Resources at the Ministry of Water, commended the initiative, sharing that the government is developing a water investment program aimed at expanding water and sanitation access nationwide. “Partnerships like this are key to ensuring that every Ugandan family can access safe water and dignified sanitation, a vision shared by the government,” said Dr. Tindimugaya.
Meanwhile, Yunia Musazi, Executive Director of UWASNET, lauded the partnership as a model for sustainable financing in the WASH sector, adding that Uganda loses an estimated UGX 6 trillion annually due to inadequate water and sanitation services.
