Mary Ayoreka

Before joining the Uganda team, Ayoreka Mary Concepta developed extensive experience as a public and environmental health professional across local government, academia, and civil society organisations. She has led and supported initiatives in water and sanitation, infection prevention and control (IPC), behaviour change communication, public health education, and community-based health interventions. With a strong commitment to systems strengthening, she works to build the capacity of district institutions (health facilities & schools) and communities to plan, implement, and sustain inclusive water and sanitation services that improve health outcomes and enhance resilience.

At Riva Uganda, Mary supports efforts to strengthen water and sanitation systems and institutional capacity across the Rwenzori region, championing locally led approaches that improve public health outcomes and service sustainability. She provides technical and strategic guidance to district local governments and partner institutions in the implementation of water and sanitation master plans, the strengthening of water and sanitation and IPC services in healthcare facilities and schools, and the promotion of community-wide sanitation and behaviour change initiatives. She fosters partnerships and multi-stakeholder engagements that enhance coordination, learning, and accountability across the water and sanitation sector in the region. 

Mary holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom, and a Bachelor of Environmental Health Science from Makerere University. She is based in Kabarole, Uganda.

A few highlights

• 10+ years of leadership experience in public health, water and sanitation, environmental health, and systems strengthening. 
• Riva Uganda’s focal sanitation person supporting district water and sanitation systems strengthening, also in healthcare facilities and schools, and multi-stakeholder learning across the Rwenzori region. 
• Member of the WHO/UNICEF Global Roster of Experts on water and sanitation in healthcare facilities and a certified WASH FIT Facilitator. 
• Led and supported WASH FIT implementation in 85 healthcare facilities across Kabarole and Bunyangabu districts, strengthening water and sanitation and IPC service delivery.