Vivo Energy, ‘Purifaaya’ launch ‘Safe2Sip’ Campaign to Combat Waterborne Diseases in Schools

Thousands of school children will soon have access to safe drinking water at school following the launch of ‘Safe2Sip’ campaign, a partnership between Vivo Energy Uganda, and Spouts of Water, the manufacturers of the ‘Purifaaya’ ceramic water filters.

The joint campaign, launched at Kibuye Primary School in Makindye, Kampala district, will equip public schools with Purifaaya drinking water filters to provide pupils with a constant supply of clean, safe drinking water, combating waterborne diseases and improving school attendance in high-risk districts.

Officials from Kampala Capital City Authority’s Directorate of Education and Social Services, Vivo Energy Uganda, and Spouts of Water attended the launch.

Recent statistics from the Ministry of Health reveal the scale of the challenge:

Uganda records an estimated 89,000 cases of waterborne illness and 3,000 related deaths each year, with school-age children among the most affected.

These illnesses, such as diarrhoea, typhoid, and cholera, not only threaten health but also keep thousands of pupils out of class, undermining their learning outcomes.

Each selected school will receive between seven and ten Purifaaya drinking water filters, capable of providing over 525 litres of clean water at any given time.

The initiative will be accompanied by training sessions for teachers and students in hygiene, primary healthcare, and safe water practices to promote Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) standards.

“Our focus is simple but urgent, that is, to help school children stay safely hydrated and avoid waterborne diseases so they can stay in school,” said Valery Okecho, Corporate Communications Manager of Vivo Energy Uganda.

“This initiative supports our core sustainability pillars: People – enhancing health and education with an aim to markedly reduce absenteeism within the first year, Planet – promoting environmental sustainability by reducing the use of firewood to boil drinking water, and Partnerships – working with ‘Purifaaya’, the government and communities to reach schools across high-risk districts for lasting impact. We expect to see a measurable drop in absenteeism caused by waterborne illnesses once this programme is fully rolled out,” Okecho added.

Joanita Mukasa Menya, Managing Director of Vivo Energy Uganda, emphasized, “Access to safe drinking water is foundational to both health and learning. By investing in schools, we are directly investing in the next generation.

The ‘Safe2Sip’ campaign partnership reflects our deep commitment to education, public health, and sustainability, and contributes to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals on good health and wellbeing, quality education, clean water and sanitation, and climate action for our country.”

Michael Nana Yaw Nimoh, Country Director of Spouts of Water, said: “We are proud to work alongside Vivo Energy Uganda to support schools that need this intervention the most. Every filter installed takes us one step closer to a Uganda where no child misses class due to unsafe water. It’s a straightforward solution, but one with lifelong benefits.”

Sarah Namutebi, Headteacher of Kibuye Primary School, expressed her appreciation for the campaign: “For years, our pupils have struggled with the effects of unsafe drinking water.

Some would fall sick, others would miss school for days. Today, we finally have a solution that will change that story.

Thanks to Vivo Energy Uganda and Purifaaya, our children can now drink clean water and focus on learning. This is more than a donation, it’s hope for a healthier future.”

The partnership, implemented in coordination with local district education authorities, will enhance access to clean drinking water for thousands of children, thereby reducing disease prevalence and improving learning outcomes.