Makerere engineers, funded by philanthropic investment, developed a solar-powered water purification system costing less than fifty dollars.
Access to clean water remains one of the most pressing challenges facing rural communities across East Africa. A team of researchers at the College of Engineering, Design, Art and Technology has developed a solution that could transform millions of lives.
The solar-powered filtration unit, developed over three years with funding from the Makerere Research and Innovation Fund, uses locally available materials and can purify up to 500 litres of water per day.
The project has been piloted in twelve communities across Northern Uganda, with plans to scale to 200 installations by 2027.
“This is what happens when you invest in African research. The solutions we develop here are designed for the communities we serve.”
Dr. Joseph Kiggundu, Lead Researcher