Over 20,000 residents get clean water in Kakumiro

More than 20,000 residents from 71 villages of Mpasaana Sub-county, Kakumiro District are now assured of access to clean water following the commissioning of a  Shs44 billion piped water project.

The project, which was funded by Life Water International, a non-governmental organisation in conjunction with the Ministry of Water and Environment, was commissioned at the weekend.

Kakumiro District, which has a population of 561,584,  was carved out of Kibaale District in July 2016.

Access to clean water stands at 32 percent, according to records from Ministry of Water and Environment and over the years, locals have been sharing water sources with animals.

The country director of Life Water International, Ms Spera Atuhairwe, said the five-year project, which started in 2018, has provided 50 boreholes, 39 water points, nine new latrine blocks, seven rehabilitated ones in five government-aided primary schools and one health centre.

“Our vision is to have a healthy village, reduce water-related diseases and improve the health and wellbeing of children through safe water, sanitation and hygiene,’’ Ms Atuhairwe said.

The Kakumiro Resident District Commissioner, Maj (rtd) David Matovu, said there is reduced open defecation, school dropouts, drinking of dirty and unsafe water and acute shortage of water in villages.

“It is a blessing for Mpasaana Sub-county, which has been grappling with water shortages, poor sanitation and open defecation. I wish Life Water International continues rendering such services to other sub-counties in this district,” he said.

The programmes manager of Life water International, Mr Samuel Emeru, said more than Shs14 billion has been spent on these projects.

The Kakumiro District water engineer, Mr Azaria Joshua Matovu, said the district, which is located in the cattle corridors of Uganda, has little or no underground water in some villages such as Mpasaana, Kijungu, Kyamusesa, Sayuni, Rweshama, Kitutuma, Kasambya and Kyananjubu local councils.

He added that on average, most of the water sources drilled are not high yielding, with water accessed on average at depth not less than 60 metres.

‘’I applaud Life Water International for the huge sigh of relief to the residents in the affected villages, schools and churches where more than 20,000 individuals can access clean and safe water. There has been open defecation, drinking of dirty water and dropout of school children, resulting from water shortages, sanitation and hygiene-related issues,” he said.

Mr Joseph Mugisha, the Kijungu LCI chairman, said this was a relief as women and children have been trekking long distances in search of water.

‘’Before Life Water International came to Mpasaana Sub-county, we used to drink dirty water and women would walk long distances to fetch water about 10 kilometres, which would sometimes create domestic violence. Now we are happy to have standard boreholes, taps and pit-latrines in five schools,’’ Mr Mugisha said.

Beneficiaries

The new water project is now benefiting 71 villages in 17 parishes notably Binikira, Bujaaja, Mpasaana and Rwamata with 3,902 households and 20,135 persons.

It also benefits five government-aided primary schools of Mpasaana, Binikara, Mpongo, Businge and Kitutuma, St Andrea Health Centre and 17 churches from the above parishes.