Rukungiri – Residents of Buhunga sub-county in Rukungiri District have a reason to smile following the commissioning of a shs 95 Million water project.
The project which was commissioned yesterday will benefit more than 8000 people in 5 villages and it was funded by the ministry of water and environment under Southern western water umbrella with an intension of extending quality water and sanitation facilities closer to rural areas in Rukungiri.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of this project that took place at the project site in Ikunuro praish in Buhunga sub- County, the operations manager at south western water umbrella Mr Robert Mugumya, said the water project is meant to provide clean water for both animal and human consumption.
“We have so far extended water to 5 parishes in Buhunga and very soon we shall extend water services to more 3. We also considered schools, health centers and homes for purposes of ensuring that people have access to clean and safe water,” he said.
Ms Mary Kicoori, 56, a resident of Kihanga Parish, said the project has relieved her from the burden of trekking long distances in search of clean and safe water.
“I used to walk a distance of more than 10km to fetch water from Kihanga stream. This daily exercise has been too tough for me and at times it could take me a day to walk from home to the stream and back. I am now happy and relieved from this burden since I now have a water tap stand near my home,” she said.
Ms Primah Byamukama, 23, an expectant mother, said the commissioned project will save them from water-borne diseases.
“On behalf of my fellow mothers, I am so happy that we have also got a near water source in our area. We have faced a lot of hardships when it comes to fetching water from the Kihanga stream. We could waste a lot of time and at times fail to prepare meals in time hence family breakups,” she said.
Ms Kallen Mugisha, the chairperson of Kabingo cell in Ikunuro parish in Buhunga sub- County said the commissioned project has given them a chance to taste safe and clean water.
“The only source of water in our area was Kihanga stream, so getting clean water was a tug of war because wild animals use the same source of water and this greatly exposes our lives to water borne diseases,” he said.
The Rukungiri district water officer chairperson, Mr Dues Twekwase said Buhunga has been one of the most water stressed sub-counties in the area for a long time, and asked the locals to protect the water project from vandals.
“Own this project and arrest whoever is found vandalizing pipes because it is for your own benefit and development, you should guard it jealously to keep it functional,” he said.
While commissioning the project, the Minister of security who doubles as the Ruiumbura county Member of Parliament Rtd.Maj.Gen.Jim K Muhwezi called for the protection of water sources and wetlands, asking residents to desist from the habit of planting trees in the wetland as it has caused water problems in the district.
‘’I want to congratulate Buhunga people and welcome them into a new world full of clean water that is safe for both Animal and Human consumption. I know you faced a lot of hardships because of water but finally you have got one so use it well to develop your families.’’ Minister Muhwezi said.
He also called for embracement of government programs aiming at chasing poverty at household levels saying that the government of Uganda has introduced very programs so join them and chase poverty out of your families.
Rukungiri district Water coverage.
Access rates in Rukungiri vary from 79 % in Nyarushanje Sub-County to 95 % in Buyanja Sub-County. Rukungiri has 2,315 domestic water points which serve a total of 282,687 people – 269,767 in rural areas. Rukungiri has 2 piped water schemes. This is according to the district water officer Mr Dues Twekwase.
