Press release submitted on behalf of Busitema University.
Busitema University, Tororo, Uganda, hosted the first-ever workshop on ultraviolet (UV) water treatment technologies in Uganda—and all of Africa—on January 23, 2025. This event brought together researchers, professionals and innovators united by a shared goal: advancing sustainable, safe water solutions for the future.
The conference saw an impressive 152 participants in attendance. Among the notable guests were Prof. Paul Waako, Vice Chancellor of Busitema University, Prof. Saphina Biira, First Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs), and Dr. Lillian Nabasa Gimuguni, Academic Registrar. Also present were directors, deans, heads of departments and representative teaching staff.
From left: Deputy Vice-Chancellor Prof. Saphina Biira, Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Waako (center), and Prof. Hadas Mamane (right)
More than 100 graduate students participated, including those from neighboring universities such as Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Muni University, Kabale University, and Mountains of the Moon University (all in Uganda), as well as Egerton University and Kisii University in Kenya.
Water situation in Uganda
Despite Uganda’s abundant freshwater resources, access to safe drinking water remains a major challenge, mirroring issues faced across sub-Saharan Africa. Of the country’s 47 million people, an estimated 37 million (81%) lack reliable access to clean water, particularly in rural areas, where long distances must be traveled to collect it (UNICEF Uganda).
This water crisis has far-reaching consequences. It affects education, especially for girls, who often bear the responsibility of fetching water, reinforcing cycles of poverty. The lack of safe water also fuels the spread of waterborne diseases like typhoid, increasing medical costs and reducing productivity. Poor sanitation exacerbates the problem—nearly 10% of Ugandans practice open defecation, contributing to the spread of diarrheal diseases, a leading cause of child mortality (Water.org). In urban slums, where piped water is often unaffordable, residents may spend up to 22% of their income on water, further limiting economic mobility.
Uganda’s primary drinking water source is groundwater, supplying over 80% of potable water, especially in rural areas. However, water quality varies. Many urban slum residents rely on springs and boreholes, as piped water remains costly. While most groundwater is potable, some regions face issues like salinity, acidity and contamination from poor sanitation. Fecal coliforms and elevated nitrate levels, often linked to deep pit latrines, pose serious health risks. Additionally, contaminants like fluoride, iron and manganese create further challenges. Fluoride contamination, exceeding the WHO guideline of 1.5 mg/L, is particularly concerning in the Rift Valley and volcanic regions such as Tororo and Mbale.
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Distribution of boreholes in Uganda (left) and distribution of spring wells in Uganda (right) (Source: Directorate of Water Development, 2017)
Ultraviolet Water Treatment Technology Workshop in Uganda
The workshop featured in-depth discussions on UV-based water purification technologies, their advancements, challenges and their role in water quality management, particularly in the face of climate change. Participants engaged in insightful presentations, real-world case studies and interactive sessions, exploring the science behind UV technology and its application in water treatment. The latest innovations driving the adoption of UV purification were also thoroughly examined.
The workshop commenced with opening remarks from Dr. Andima Moses, who provided an overview of the event before inviting Prof. Samson Rwahire, Director of Graduate School, Research, and Innovation, to deliver a brief welcome address. Next, Prof. Hadas Mamane, extended her greetings, followed by Prof. Paul Waako, Vice Chancellor of Busitema University. Prof. Waako shared a brief history of the university, expressed gratitude to the sponsors and attendees and acknowledged the presence of students and researchers from neighboring universities in Uganda and Kenya.
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Dr. Andima Moses (left) and Prof. Samson Rwahire (right)
The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr. Callist Tindimugaya, Commissioner for Water Resources Planning and Regulation at Uganda’s Ministry of Water and Environment. He addressed the challenges of climate change and its impact on Uganda’s water resources, emphasizing Africa’s vulnerability due to poverty, weak institutional capacity and rapid population growth. Dr. Tindimugaya stressed the urgency of integrated water resources management and the need for collaboration among stakeholders, including academia, to develop sustainable solutions. He also shared practical strategies for tackling water scarcity, such as restoring wetlands and constructing dams to improve water availability.
Another keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. Hadas Mamane, who provided an insightful overview of UV disinfection, including its fundamental principles, key terminology and applications in water treatment. She discussed the advantages and limitations of various UV lamp technologies and showcased her collaborative work with Dr. Dana Pousty and the NGO Innovation Africa on implementing community-based UV-LED technology in low-income communities.
The third keynote lecture was delivered by Prof. Thalappil Pradeep from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, a renowned expert in nanotechnology and water purification. His presentation focused on affordable and clean water solutions using advanced nanomaterials. Prof. Pradeep highlighted the development of a bio-nanocomposite filter capable of removing arsenic from groundwater at an extremely low cost. He emphasized the transformative potential of nanotechnology in providing effective and affordable water purification solutions and showcased how these innovations have already been scaled up to benefit over 1.4 million people across India, ensuring access to arsenic-free water.
As part of an interactive session, students and faculty were asked to bring drinking water samples from their homes or communities and conduct a simple survey on water usage and quality. During her talk on People’s Water Data, Suzan Kagan, a PhD student at Tel Aviv University and coordinator of an international hybrid course on water quality, invited participants to present their samples. She then conducted key water quality tests, including pH, conductivity, turbidity and E. coli & total coliform analysis. In addition to demonstrating these tests, she emphasized the importance of community-driven water monitoring and the role of local water quality data in improving access to safe drinking water.
The workshop featured short research presentations on water quality assessments, UV degradation mechanisms for pollutants and the use of solar energy to power UV-LEDs for water treatment.
Marion Mogusu, a Master’s student at Egerton University, Kenya, and a member of the International UV Association (IUVA) Young Professionals (YP) group spoke about the importance of YP engagement and encouraged interested students to join. She also proposed the formation of an East African YP group to help expand professional networks, promote research and facilitate knowledge-sharing among UV researchers and practitioners in the region.
The workshop concluded with a short presentation and a vote of thanks from Dr. Moses Egor. He highlighted advancements in nanomaterials for water purification, focusing on solutions for fluoride contamination. Additionally, he discussed the development of a sensor using luminescent metal clusters protected by carborane derivatives, designed for detecting water pollutants.
Dr. Egor expressed gratitude to all sponsors, recognizing their support and presenting them with gift bags as a token of appreciation. The event wrapped up with the awarding of certificates of participation to all attendees. The student obtained a certificate of participation in an academic workshop signed by Prof Paal Waako and Prof Mamane.
Not to be forgotten, we also had the opportunity to enjoy delicious and nutritious Ugandan cuisine. This included matooke—boiled and mashed green bananas—along with other local dishes such as peas and a special variety of pumpkin.
Let’s not forget also to acknowledge the main sponsors! A special thank you to Ted Mao, IUVA President, and Comwin for their significant contributions to the conference. In recognition of their support, they were presented with certificates of appreciation.
As concluded by the VP Prof. Paul Waako “The workshop has sparked significant interest among our faculty and students, and we believe that working together on UV-related projects will provide great opportunities for knowledge exchange, innovation and advancing sustainable solutions in UV technology. We look forward to exploring potential partnerships and ways to contribute to the growing field of ultraviolet research and its applications”.
Participants also had fun taking numerous pictures in front of the workshop’s wall poster, capturing memorable moments from the event.
As a follow-up to the conference, we visited community water taps in Uganda to collect water samples for further analysis. This hands-on activity allowed for testing key water quality parameters such as pH, turbidity, and microbial contamination. The visit also provided valuable insights into the daily challenges faced by local communities in accessing safe drinking water, reinforcing the importance of innovative water purification technologies like off-grid UV treatment.
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Sampling water from a community water tap in Uganda
