Rainwater Harvesting Facility Strengthens Water Security at Kitebi Secondary School

Following the commissioning of its rainwater harvesting facilities under the Greater Kampala Integrated Flood Resilience (GKIFR) Partnership, Kitebi Secondary School has increasingly strengthened its commitment to sustainable water management and climate resilience.

The facility was established through a partnership involving the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and other stakeholders, with financial support from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the European Union (EU). This initiative forms part of wider efforts to promote sustainable, climate-resilient infrastructure across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area.

Further still, the rainwater harvesting facility was officially commissioned by His Excellency Jan Sadek, Ambassador and Head of the European Union Delegation to Uganda, in the presence of representatives from KCCA, GIZ, other partner organisations, school management, staff and learners.

The installation is particularly significant because Kitebi Secondary School serves a large student population and requires a reliable water supply to support learning, sanitation and other daily activities.

It is therefore important to understand that rainwater harvesting provides an opportunity for the school to collect and store water from rainfall for use within the institution, reducing pressure on conventional water sources while contributing to sustainable water management.

The initiative also responds to a broader challenge facing many learning institutions in Uganda. Several reports highlight the difficulties schools continue to face in accessing adequate safe water, noting that rainwater harvesting can help bridge the gap, particularly in areas where conventional water sources may be unreliable or vulnerable to contamination.

For Kitebi Secondary School, the project does not only provide an additional source of water, but represents an investment in a safer, more resilient and environmentally conscious learning environment.

The Greater Kampala Integrated Flood Resilience Partnership promotes nature-based and blue-green infrastructure solutions designed to reduce flood risks while improving the sustainability of urban communities. At Kitebi Secondary School, the rainwater-harvesting intervention is among several pilot measures implemented under the partnership.

Through the facility, Kitebi Secondary School continues to embrace practical solutions that support environmental sustainability, improve access to water and strengthen the school’s preparedness for the effects of climate change.

The school management spearheaded by Adv. Kamulegeya Muhammed (Hajj) and the Board of Gorvnors appreciate the support and partnership of KCCA, GIZ, the European Union, BMZ and all other stakeholders whose contribution is envisioned to promote good health at the school.

The partnership thus demonstrates how collaboration between government institutions, development partners, the private sector and communities can help address pressing challenges affecting urban areas.