News

Safe at the Source, Not Always Safe at Home: New Data Tracks Drinking Water Contamination

1 October 2026

Water collected from a borehole, protected spring or piped supply may be safe when it leaves the source but what happens on the journey to the household can change that.

New World Bank data shows that contamination can enter drinking water during collection, transport, storage and everyday handling, meaning that access to an improved water source does not always guarantee that the water eventually consumed is safe.

The analysis, published on 8 September 2026 as part of the Atlas of Global Development 2026, reports that 2.1 billion people worldwide still lack safely managed drinking water. More striking is the difference between water tested at the source and the same supply assessed where people actually use it. In 28 of 30 countries with comparable data, a larger share of people was exposed to contamination when water was tested at household level than at the original source.

Contamination can be introduced through something as ordinary as an uncovered storage container, an unwashed cup or a hand dipped into stored water. The problem therefore extends beyond the condition of a borehole, tap or spring. It includes what happens after the water has been collected.

That distinction matters because international standards for safely managed drinking water consider more than the type of source being used. Water should be accessible on the premises, available when needed and free from contamination. The World Bank analysis identifies water quality as one of the most difficult barriers to meeting that standard.

Uganda is dealing with the same problem while making progress in some areas of water-quality management.

The Fourth National Development Plan 2025/26–2029/30 reports that compliance with drinking-water quality standards for point water sources improved from 41 per cent in 2017/18 to 55 per cent in 2023/24. Compliance for piped water increased from 60 per cent to 71 per cent over the same period. The Plan, however, also reports that more than 80 per cent of urban water sources are contaminated, with untreated waste, indiscriminate disposal of plastics and other pollutants contributing to the problem.

Uganda's response increasingly depends on better monitoring as well as infrastructure. NDP IV includes stronger enforcement against water pollution, improvements in hydrological information systems and plans to construct and equip a National Water Quality Reference Laboratory. Academia is among the actors identified in the Plan's approach to sustainable water-resource management.

Research at Busitema University already shows how some of those questions can be approached.

In 2026, Joseph Pelerino Lolem, working in the Department of Water Resources Engineering, developed a hybrid model for predicting river-water quality in Uganda's Malaba River catchment. The study combined the Soil and Water Assessment Tool with an artificial neural network using hydrological, climate, land-use and pollution data. The artificial neural network achieved 84.47 per cent accuracy in classifying water quality, with sediment and turbidity emerging as important drivers.

Another study by Sonia Dorothy Baaya in 2024 took a different approach. She designed and constructed a cost-effective Internet of Things-based water-quality monitoring system at Busitema University. The system was developed to collect and transmit water-quality data in real time, allowing changes to be detected more quickly than approaches that depend only on periodic laboratory testing.

The latest global findings add another layer to work of this kind. Knowing whether a river, borehole or piped supply is contaminated remains important, but the evidence raises questions about what happens after water leaves those sources.

Where along the journey from collection to consumption does contamination enter? How much do storage containers, transport methods and household handling affect water quality? Which communities face the greatest exposure? Can low-cost monitoring technologies identify changes early enough to prevent people from consuming unsafe water?

These are questions that can bring together expertise already found across Busitema University, including water engineering, environmental science, public health and data science. They also create room to move research closer to households and communities, where the difference between water that is available and water that is actually safe becomes visible.

That direction fits within Busitema University's wider research agenda. The University identifies Health and Wellbeing and Agriculture and Environment among the themes around which it seeks to build high-impact research, alongside Digital Futures and Transformative Technologies. Its strategic plan also places emphasis on research that produces scientific and social impact within communities.

The figures shift attention from the water point to everything that happens afterwards. A borehole may test clean in the morning and still fail to deliver safe water to the person drinking from a household container later that day. Finding where that safety is lost, and how to prevent it, is now part of the water challenge.

Read the original World Bank article, Water quality: safe at the source isn't safe at the glass.

30 September 2026

Busitema University is set to graduate a record 2,268 students on Saturday, 3 October 2026, in its 17th Graduation Ceremony, the largest graduating class in the University’s history.

The ceremony will be held at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at Busitema Campus and will begin at 8:00 a.m., with graduands and parents expected to be seated by that time to allow proceedings to start as scheduled. The President of the Republic of Uganda, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, will be the Guest of Honour, joining ministers, local leaders, University officials, families and other invited guests for the occasion.

Academic Registrar Dr. Gimuguni Lillian Nabaasa says the record number is one of several milestones that make the 17th Graduation Ceremony special. Busitema will present its second cohort of PhD graduates, while three academic programmes will have graduates for the first time.

Three candidates will receive doctoral degrees. Two will graduate with the Doctor of Philosophy in Biodiversity Conservation and Management from the Faculty of Science and Education, while the third will receive the Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration and Management from the Faculty of Management Sciences.

Another 149 students will graduate with master’s degrees, 685 with diplomas and 588 with certificates, alongside students completing bachelor’s degree programmes.

The ceremony will also see the first graduates from the Master of Science in Cyber Physical Systems Engineering, Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Bachelor of Science in Statistics. Their graduation adds another chapter to the University’s expansion into programmes that are opening new areas of advanced training and study.

Dr. Nabaasa says the size of the graduating class and the academic milestones reached this year are an achievement the University is proud of. She credits the progress to the work of the students, the University and the parents and families who have supported them through their studies.

Her message to the graduands is equally focused on what comes after Saturday’s ceremony. She has urged them to carry the values of Busitema University into their careers, uphold professionalism and ethics, and remain committed to learning as their careers develop.

Beyond the record numbers and new academic milestones, the First Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, Assoc. Prof. Saphina Biira, turns attention to what comes next for the graduating class. She says the value of their education will be seen in how they apply their knowledge, solve problems, innovate and contribute to national development.

That focus is also reflected in how the University is strengthening its academic programmes. Assoc. Prof. Biira says Busitema is improving the quality and relevance of its training, expanding postgraduate education and research, strengthening partnerships with industry and development partners, and investing in facilities that support practical training, digital learning and innovation.

The three PhD graduates and the new programmes represented at this year’s ceremony give that growth a visible presence on graduation day, but Assoc. Prof. Biira Assoc. Prof. Biira adds that the University’s responsibility goes beyond the number of students it graduates, with greater attention needed on the difference its training and research make beyond the University.

Assoc. Prof. Biira says the achievement of the graduating class reflects the contribution of staff across the University. She notes that academic staff have spent years teaching, supervising, assessing and mentoring students, while administrative, technical and support staff have played an important role in supporting their academic journey.

“Behind every graduate is a team of staff who have invested time, expertise and effort over several years,” she acknowledges.

Assoc. Prof. Biira also recognises the support of parents and guardians, government, development partners, industry and institutions that have contributed to the students’ training and professional preparation.

The University now looks to the 2,268 graduands to show, through what they do next, the value of the education they have received.

Busitema University joined researchers, industry practitioners, regulators, government officials and students at the 10th National Conference on Communications, where discussions focused on how Uganda can turn research and emerging technologies into solutions that respond to the country’s development needs.

The University was represented by Assoc.Prof. Gilbert Gilibrays Ocen, Director of Information and Communications Technology Services (DICTS), who attended on behalf of Vice Chancellor Prof. Paul Waako.

Held on 24 and 25 September 2026 at Makerere University’s Yusuf Lule Central Teaching Facility, the conference was organised by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and hosted by Makerere University’s College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology. This year’s theme, “Accelerating Market-Driven Research and Innovation for Uganda’s Development,” placed particular emphasis on strengthening the connection between research, industry and practical application.

At the opening, Minister of ICT and National Guidance Rt. Hon. Justine Kasule Lumumba emphasised Government’s commitment to improving access to ICT services, advancing digitalisation and strengthening public-private partnerships. She joined leaders from government, academia and the communications sector at an opening programme that reflected the range of institutions involved in Uganda’s digital transformation.

That relationship between research and its practical use remained a major part of the discussions. UCC Executive Director Hon. Nyombi Thembo challenged researchers and innovators to look beyond producing knowledge and consider how their work can become solutions that address local challenges, improve livelihoods and contribute to economic development.

Research presentations formed a significant part of the two-day programme. The conference accepted 26 technical papers, with work spanning artificial intelligence, telecommunications, digital platforms, electric mobility, energy systems, language technologies and other emerging areas.

The programme also brought industry into the discussion through panels and interactive sessions examining how Uganda can move from expanding digital connectivity to creating greater economic and social value from it. According to the conference organisers, NCC is intended to discuss engineering solutions to local challenges, examine changing industry trends and connect young professionals with experienced practitioners in academia, government and the ICT sector.

Young innovators were part of that conversation as well. School ICT Clubs took part in an innovation showcase, with students presenting technology-based solutions to problems in areas including agriculture, waste management, mobility, education and energy. Eight schools reached the national stage after progressing through regional competitions, placing student innovation alongside university research and industry discussions.

Assoc. Prof. Ocen also used the conference to engage with representatives from academia, industry and the communications sector, with some of the discussions opening possible areas of collaboration between Busitema University and institutions represented at the meeting.

Busitema University concluded three days of scientific exchange in Soroti City on 25 September 2026 after researchers, students, innovators and partners from academia, government, and civil society gathered for the 4th Busitema University Annual Science, Technology and Innovation Symposium (BUSTIS).

Held from 23 to 25 September 2026 at Hersey Resort in Soroti and hosted by the Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, Arapai Campus, the symposium ran under the theme “Coordinated Innovations in Science and Technology for Socio-Economic Transformation.”

BUSTIS is held annually to bring the University’s growing research and innovation work into one space where it can be presented, discussed and challenged, while also creating opportunities for researchers to meet people outside their immediate disciplines. Students encounter experienced researchers, innovators demonstrate technologies and prototypes, and government, industry and other institutions are able to engage with research that may have practical value beyond the University.

The fourth edition focused on challenges that require knowledge from more than one field, including climate change, health, artificial intelligence, unemployment and industrial development. The symposium brought researchers, students and other participants together to share ideas and explore how different areas of expertise can contribute to practical solutions.

The role of the symposium was also highlighted by Busitema University Vice Chancellor, Prof. Paul Waako, who spoke about the importance of creating spaces where research can be tested, discussed and improved.

The growth matters because BUSTIS has become a place where researchers can present their work, receive feedback, build collaborations and consider how their ideas can be developed for wider use. Prof. Waako described it as a space where research can be questioned and strengthened before it moves further.

“I hope that at this meeting concepts shall be validated, ideas shall be enriched and innovation shall be tested” he added.

He also linked Busitema University’s commitment to science, technology and innovation to Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, noting that gatherings such as BUSTIS give researchers and partners an opportunity to refine ideas that can contribute to national development.

Prof. Waako also highlighted the value of partnerships between universities and industry, pointing to Busitema University’s collaboration with Kiira Motors in the training of engineering students as an example of how such partnerships can strengthen learning and give students practical exposure.

Assoc. Prof. Saphina Biira, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, called for a more connected approach to innovation, with researchers, students, universities, industry, government and communities working together on shared challenges.

She also encouraged the University community to look beyond the number of research papers published and focus on how research is improving lives. This includes turning research findings into useful technologies, products, policies and businesses, while preparing graduates to create jobs and new opportunities.

The symposium is coordinated through the Directorate of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovation, led by Assoc. Prof. Samson Rwahwire. The Directorate has helped grow the annual platform and bring research from different parts of the University into wider discussion.

This year’s symposium was hosted by the Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Sciences at Arapai Campus, led by Dean Dr. Geoffrey Lubadde. He welcomed the broad range of participants and stressed the role of universities in developing solutions that respond to Africa’s development needs.

Hosting the fourth edition in Soroti also brought the discussions close to some of the communities whose challenges were reflected in the research.

Hellen Christine Amongin, Deputy Mayor of Soroti City Council, welcomed participants to the Teso sub-region and linked the symposium’s theme to challenges affecting local communities. She noted that while agriculture remains central to the regional economy, farmers continue to face climate change, livestock diseases and post-harvest losses.

The deputy mayor urged researchers to ensure that the knowledge developed within universities reaches the people who can benefit from it, particularly farmers. She also encouraged Busitema University to use Soroti as a place to test and apply innovations in real community settings.

Youth unemployment was another concern she raised. In her view, commercialising science and technology can create jobs, and Arapai Campus, has a role to play in preparing young people to create opportunities for themselves and others through innovation and entrepreneurship.

Among the standout presentations was work by Assoc. Prof. James Peter Egonyu, Associate Professor of Agricultural Entomology at Busitema University, on the use of Black Soldier Fly technology to convert organic waste into animal feed and organic fertiliser. The approach shows how waste that would otherwise be discarded can be put to productive use in agriculture while also creating opportunities for enterprise. The discussion around the technology illustrated what coordinated innovation can look like in practice. A problem in waste management can become part of a conversation about livestock production, soil improvement, environmental management and income generation.

Another presentation, led by Dr. Godliver Owomugisha, examined the application of artificial intelligence in solving practical problems, including its use in agriculture for crop pest and disease detection.

She noted that while artificial intelligence can support research and improve problem-solving, universities should ensure that its growing use does not weaken critical thinking or the ability of students and researchers to make independent judgements.

Presentations covered climate-smart agriculture, water quality, cassava production, mushroom and cricket farming, health, engineering, education and emerging technologies. Participants also visited exhibition stands where researchers displayed prototypes, products and other technologies and explained how they worked.

The 2026 symposium was also framed within wider development priorities, including Uganda’s National Development Plan IV and Vision 2040, Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Those goals became more meaningful in Soroti because the discussions focused on problems that communities and institutions are already dealing with, including farm losses, unemployment, health challenges, changing technologies, environmental pressure and the need to strengthen local industries.

Over the three days, participants moved between research presentations, demonstrations, exhibitions and discussions involving different disciplines and institutions. Some of the work presented is already being applied, while other ideas still need further testing, stronger partnerships or additional research. The symposium gave researchers and innovators a space to present that work, receive feedback and consider what should happen next.

That is where the growth highlighted by Prof. Waako becomes important. After four editions, BUSTIS is creating more room for researchers to engage with government, industry and communities around how knowledge and innovation can respond to practical needs.

By the end of the three days, the symposium had brought different ideas into the same room and opened them up to questions, criticism and new connections. What matters now is whether the ideas shared in Soroti are carried forward, strengthened through further work and eventually used to address the problems they were meant to solve.

 

Faculty of Health Sciences Library, Mbale campus Relocates to New Premises

25^th September 2026

Busitema University Library wishes to inform students, staff and the wider hospital community that the Faculty of Health Sciences Library, Mbale campus, has relocated from the North Bukedi Building to the new complex within Mbale Regional Referral Hospital premises.

The new premises provide considerably more space than the previous location, offering a more conducive environment for study, research, access to information resources and other library services.

Students, University staff and staff of Mbale Regional Referral Hospital are warmly invited to visit and make use of the Library at its new location.

The Library will continue to operate under its usual opening hours:

Monday – Friday: 8:20 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Public Holidays: Closed

New Location: The new complex within Mbale Regional Referral Hospital premises.

The Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Services (DICTS) at Busitema University has successfully implemented a modern, sustainable power backup system to ensure uninterrupted operation of the university’s server infrastructure.

This new power solution integrates solar energy, lithium battery storage, and grid (hydro) electricity into a seamless and intelligent system designed to guarantee reliability, efficiency, and resilience.

How the System Works

The setup consists of 38 solar panels that harness clean energy during the day. This solar power directly supports the server room operations while simultaneously charging a high-capacity lithium battery system.

At night, the system automatically switches to grid (hydro) power as the primary source of electricity. In the event of a grid power outage, the lithium battery—charged during the day—instantly takes over, ensuring continuous power supply to critical systems.

All transitions between power sources are managed by a smart inverter, which enables automatic, seamless switching without any interruption to services.

Key Benefits

• Uninterrupted Services: Ensures continuous availability of university digital systems and services.
• Energy Efficiency: Maximizes the use of solar energy, reducing dependence on grid power.
• Sustainability: Promotes green energy adoption and reduces the university’s carbon footprint.
• Reliability: Provides a robust backup mechanism in case of power outages.
• Automation: Eliminates manual intervention through intelligent power switching.

Supporting the University’s Digital Mission

This initiative reflects DICTS’ commitment to strengthening the university’s ICT infrastructure and supporting teaching, learning, research, and administrative functions through reliable technology services.

By adopting this hybrid power solution, Busitema University continues to demonstrate leadership in leveraging innovative and sustainable technologies to enhance institutional efficiency and service delivery.

In an effort to ensure a smooth transition into university life, first-year students at various campuses received a comprehensive orientation on University systems. The orientation, held on between 7th of September to 15 of September 2023, provided newcomers with valuable insights into the array of systems and resources available to them throughout their academic journey.

The orientation covered a wide range of essential topics, including:

• The Admission System
• Students Portal System
• Varous websites including the main University Site
• Introduction to eduroam internet

Among others

The orientation sessions were led by experienced faculty and staff members who were available to answer questions and provide guidance. Attendees were also given access to online resources and handouts for future reference.

Busitema Universoty, Directorate of ICT remains committed to supporting the success of its students and believes that a strong understanding of campus systems is crucial for a successful academic journey. This comprehensive orientation serves as a crucial first step in helping first-year students make the most of their university experience

To register for institutional mail, please fill in the following forms. Forms are to be filled according to respective faculties. Click here to access forms

See Full News