Africa-Press – Uganda. Kamwenge district is seeking sh46b to tackle the wide-ranging challenge of water scarcity which is a challenge for many rural areas in the district
The Kamwenge district assistant water officer Micheal Byamukama said on Friday while commissioning Malere and Kabambiro water systems which were constructed by water for people that water coverage in the district stands at 73% with most residents still walking a distance of up to five kilometres in search of water.
Byamukama said that the major cause of water scarcity is the very low table, which has barred them from using water springs and gravity schemes that would have been cheaper alternatives.
He said that the district receives sh556m for the water department to work on community boreholes.
“Many people in the rural areas of the district have a challenge of access to water they rely on rainwater and if there is no rain they face a very big problem as a district we also rely on non-government organisations which construct water systems,” Byamukama said.
He said they need at least sh46b to put in place a number of production boreholes, which have the capacity to serve many areas and at a low cost.
Residents in some of the water-stressed sub-counties like Kahungye, Nkoma, Bwizi and Kabambiro among others, say water scarcity is one of the major challenges they have to grapple with daily.
“In 2013 we carried out a baseline survey which indicated that Biguli sub-county was the most water-stressed area in the district and as a district, we have since constructed eight water systems to serve the communities,” Byamukama said.
Ronald Mugisha a resident of Kabambiro said that the residents walk several kilometres to access water sources.
“Water scarcity is still a very big challenge which should be addressed many people in our areas depend on stagnant water and as a result they have suffered from water-borne diseases,” Mugisha said.
Irene Kobusingye a resident of Kabambiro said that residents walk a distance of over 10 kilometres to get water from River Mpanga.
“We share the water from River Mpanga with the animals because some of us cannot access the cost of piped water it’s too high at times a jerrycan goes for 500 shillings which some families cannot afford,” Kobusingye said.
Ray of hope
It was joy and fun for the communities of in Malere and Kabambiro as they saw the first drop of piped water in their areas on Friday.
Water for People a non-governmental organisation commissioned the sh4.3bn Malere water system and the sh2.9bn Kabambiro water system.
Cate Nimanya the country director Water for People said that the commissioned water systems will help to provide safe water to the residents.
“There has been a very big problem of water in the communities together with the district local government we worked on the two water systems which will provide water to all the communities,” Nimanya said.
“There has been a lot of outcries from the public about water scarcity in the area we came in and worked with the district local government and the communities to ensure that people get good piped water for use,” Nimanya said.
Nimanya said that the two water systems will boast safe water coverage and also improve sanitation at the two sub-counties.
Eng. Joseph Eyatu the director for water development in the ministry of water said that the government had expanded the solar technology to extend water in many parts of the country.
“We are using the solar technology to pump water so that communities can easily get access to safe and clean water,” Eyatu said.
He said that the government was working with different stakeholders in ensuring that they increase water coverage in rural communities.
“Members of the communities should properly utilize the water sources which have been handed over to them so that they can improve hygiene and sanitation at the landing site,” Eyatu added.
