Determinants of Hand Pump Borehole Performance and Efficiency in Rural Areas of Uganda. “A Case Study of Kibuku District”

Abstract

Uganda continues to face substantial challenges in ensuring safe, reliable, and equitable access to water, particularly in rural areas. Kibuku District in eastern Uganda exemplifies these challenges, with access rates ranging from 27% in Kabweri Sub-County to 95% in Kenkebu Sub-County, and an overall average of 58%. Despite significant government and donor investments in hand pump boreholes—the primary source of rural water performance remains inconsistent due to frequent breakdowns, reduced yields, and compromised water quality. This study was undertaken to determine the technical, socio-economic, and environmental factors influencing the performance of hand pump boreholes and to develop predictive insights for enhancing their reliability and efficiency. The specific objectives were to: (i) assess the effect of technical factors on the performance and efficiency of hand pump boreholes, (ii) examine the relationship between socio-economic factors and borehole functionality, (iii) analyse the effect of environmental factors on borehole water quality, and (iv) develop an evidence-based predictive model for improving borehole reliability in Kibuku District. A cross-sectional research design was adopted, involving a sample of 384 respondents and 110 boreholes distributed across the district. Data on technical factors such as casing material, pump type, siting methods, yield; socio-economic factorssuch as user fees, local government support, spare parts availability, and environmental factors such as salinity, contamination, rainfall patterns were collected and analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regression techniques. Results indicated that technical factors were the most influential predictors of borehole performance. Casing material emerged as the most significant determinant (β = 0.338, p < .001), followed by borehole siting mechanisms (β = 0.173, p < .001), pump type (β = 0.128, p = .013), and pump yield (β = 0.113, p = .012). Among environmental variables, salinity was the strongest predictor (β = 0.408, p < .001), with lower salinity levels associated with higher performance. Socio-economic analysis revealed that user fees (β = 0.085, p = .048), local government support (β = 0.637, p = .019), and spare parts availability (β = 0.871, p = .003) had significant positive effects on functionality, highlighting the importance of financial contributions, institutional support, and logistical readiness in sustaining rural water infrastructure. The study concludes that the performance and efficiency of hand pump boreholes in Kibuku District are primarily determined by technical standards, complemented by socio-economic governance and environmental suitability. Sustainable functionality requires improvements in casing material quality, hydrogeologically informed siting, appropriate pump selection, and structured maintenance. It is recommended that district water programs implement mandatory technical audits, train local technicians, and enforce standardized construction protocols to ensure the use of durable casing and context-appropriate pumps. Furthermore, policy frameworks should strengthen spare parts supply chains and institutional support systems. Future research should assess the long-term cost-effectiveness of casing materials across different hydrogeological zones and explore pump and groundwater interactions to optimize technology selection.