Residents of Nakalama, Bulamagi and Nakigo sub counties in Iganga district have received boreholes after years of struggling to get water.
These received 50 boreholes which were dug Okoa Hero’s Child Ministries, in collaboration with Water Charity worthy Shs 400m.
According to the Program Director, Okoa Hero’s Child Ministries, Bashir Mutebi, a 2021 survey conducted by the organisation found that over 30,000 families representing 88 percent of the area population have no access to clean drinking water, exposing them to the risk of diseases like diarrhoea.
While launching the construction of three boreholes in Bulamanji and Bwanalira villages, Mutebi said the organisation will also provide water tanks to homes and primary schools in the water-stressed sub counties to help them harvest water during the rainy season.
Construction of the 50 boreholes in the selected areas and homes is expected to be completed within the next three weeks.
“Our aim is to ensure that people start drinking water immediately, to save them from getting diseases,” Mutebi said
Iganga LC 5 Chairperson, Ezra Gabula, thanked the NGO for the support towards improving water coverage and supply in the district.
Busoga East police spokesperson, Diana Nandawula, said people have had to walk long distances in search for water and some women are raped on their way to, or back from, fetching water in the district.
She then urged women to always be accompanied by colleagues when going to fetch water, especially at night, so as to avoid falling victim to sexual assault.
