HFB’s Water Supply and Sanitation Solution transforming lives in Mukono

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In Uganda’s rapidly growing communities, such as Mukono, access to safe and reliable sanitation remains one of the most pressing challenges.

While hundreds are faced with such challenges, Patrick Odutu and Odongo Pius, have maximised the available opportunities to transform their homes and improve their communities. They signed up for the Housing Finance Bank’s Water Supply and Sanitation Solution.

Odutu, a builder and a boda boda rider in Mukono with a clear goal to provide his family with a proper toilet facility, had saved for a while but could not meet the required funds to finance his project.

He was later introduced to the Housing Finance Bank’s Water Supply and Sanitation Solution, a financial product specifically designed to support individuals to improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities.

“When I acquired the sh5m loan, it was not enough to cover the entire bill, so I combined the loan with contributions from supportive colleagues to complete the project. The process was straightforward, with funds readily accessible and easy to use,” Patrick narrated.

For Pius Odongo, a civil servant, he was stuck with the construction of his two-roomed rental house. While it was at the beam level, he lacked the funds to add essential sanitation infrastructure.

Without a toilet facility, his rentals would be unfit for tenants and his investment would stall. Recognising the importance of completing the project properly, Odongo too signed up for the loan.

“The first approval was sh2.5m which enabled me to build a septic tank and install a rainwater harvesting system to ensure a reliable water supply. The remaining amount helped him finish the construction of the rentals. With the project now 99% complete, I have been able to address the critical sanitation gap,” Odongo noted.

The Housing Finance Bank’s Water Supply and Sanitation Solution is a practical tool designed to address one of Uganda’s most persistent development challenges by giving individuals and communities the means to build healthier living environments.

To make these solutions even more accessible, the bank partners with companies such as Water Quip, which specialises in affordable and durable sanitation and water systems.

This collaboration is especially impactful for schools and homes, where reliable sanitation and clean water access are essential for public health and learning environments.

By working with partners like Water Quip, the bank ensures that customers have not only the financing they need but also access to the right technologies and expertise to implement lasting solutions.

According to Annet Ssebuggwawo Nakigudde, the Head of Microfinance at Housing Finance Bank, access to sanitation is a fundamental human right.

She notes that the product seeks to empower people to create cleaner, healthier, and more dignified spaces for their families and communities.

“Through tailoring financial support to address real needs on the ground, we are demonstrating how banking can be a catalyst for sustainable development. The Water Supply and Sanitation Solution is not just helping Ugandans like Patrick and Odongo build toilets or install water systems, it is restoring hope, safeguarding health, and enabling people to secure a better future for themselves and their communities,” Nakigudde explained.