BY JOACKIM KULE
Authorities in Kasese have revealed that they are committed to increasing the percentage of safe and clean water coverage across the entire district.
Kasese district which was formerly standing at 67% in terms of water coverage was later affected by devastating floods that reduced the coverage to 56%.
Eng. Patrick Ndungu Syaipuma, the Kasese District Water Engineer told Messiah Radio last evening shortly after inspecting the construction site of Kabingo –Kilhambayiro Hills Gravity Flow Scheme in Munkunyu sub county, Bukonzo County East that they were concerned about the decline that had left some communities without access to safe and clean water.
Eng. Syaipuma revealed that Munkunyu sub-county was among the lower local governments in the district that have a challenge of low water coverage. According to him, its coverage stands at 52%.
He stressed that under the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers (UgiFT), they had secured over shillings 620 million to facilitate the extension of safe water to approximately 28,000 people across the communities in Munkunyu sub-county.
Mr. Mustafa Kikusa, the Kasese District Principal Assistant Secretary in the office of the Chief Administrative Officer cited human activities that are carried around the water sources as some of the factors leading to a decline in the water coverage.
He advised that human activities should be carried at least 30 meters away from the water sources so that they are protected from drying.
Mr. John Mulewa, the District Councilor representing Munkunyu Sub County warned the community members against vandalism of water pipes and instead encouraged them to learn how to appreciate and own such projects.
Mr. Sezi Baluku Police, the Munkunyu Sub-county Chairperson appreciated the district leadership for wisely thinking about the people in the area of jurisdiction, adding that for many years, they have been grappling with the water related challenges.
ENDS