Bwaise gets piped water

Relief. The Shs1.6 project, a joint venture between the NWSC and the Coca Cola foundation, will help about 22,000 people.

Bwaise, a Kampala City suburb that has for long been dogged by safe water woes, has acquired a piped water system.

The new water system, that cost Shs1. 6 billion, was inaugurated yesterday by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) board chairperson, Mr William Oketcho. He said the corporation had undertaken a five-year strategic plan to increase piped water coverage in urban centres.

He said lack of access to clean water was one of the leading causes of diseases which hinder people’s productivity and cause poverty.

Mr Oketcho, who commissioned 10 water vending centres, said unplanned settlements and rapid population growth due to rural-urban migrations are among the major factors impeding urban communities from getting access to clean water and sanitation services.

“We started installing prepaid water meters in Kamwokya and Ndeeba and now we are in Bwaise I & II. We estimated that 15,000 people would benefit from this programme but we have ended up serving 22,000 and a jerrycan of water will cost Shs23 instead of Shs500 they have been paying,” Mr Oketcho added.

He urged corporate organisations and companies to partner with government institutions to improve service deliver to people.

Bwaise is one of Kampala’s largest urban slums facing housing, drainage, water and sanitation challenges. The area, which faces severe flooding after heavy rains, has experienced several cases of cholera outbreak.

Previously, Bwaise residents have been relying on underground water streams for water for domestic use. A jerry can of water has been going for Shs500.

sotage@ug.nationmedia.com