BY JOACKIM KULE
Kasese District Local Government has today launched the construction works of the 2nd phase of Kendahi Solar Powered Water Supply System in Kitswamba Sub-county, Busongora County North.
The water project is aimed at increasing access to safe water to the residents especially those living in Hima, Kitswamba and Kihyo Parishes that are among the water stressed communities.
A solar powered water system is an integrated infrastructure that uses photovoltaic energy to generate electricity for pumping water from the source to a storage tank or directly to the distribution points, without relying on grid electricity or diesel generators.
Speaking during the launch at Kendahi village, the Kasese District Senior Water Engineer, Patrick Ndungo Syaipuma, indicated that during the first phase, they spent more than shillings 793 million.
According to him, in the same phase, they focused on accessing the ground water, installing the pumping mechanism and ensuring the energy source and supplied water to few villages.
The second phase which is expected to consume more than shillings 645 million to construct more 20 tap public stands to the residents in Kitswamba Parish is aimed at enabling them to improve water accessibility to 52%.
The Kitswamba Sub-county Chairperson, Yofesi Katenene, lauded the government, noting that the project under construction was making the fifth in the current financial year.
He noted that the whole sub-county was remaining with few villages to access safe water so that its coverage reaches 100%.
The Kasese District Chairperson, Mr. Eliphaz Muhindi Bukombi, assured the residents that the government would ensure that most of the water stressed communities access water so as to prevent them from contracting diseases.
Muhindi, who noted that they had submitted many reports to the Central Government about the communities that are still grappling with water challenges, stressed that they would soon get positive responses.
The Kasese Deputy RDC in- charge of Busongora County, Joshua Katunda, asked the project beneficiaries to utilize the opportunity and ensure good hygiene and sanitation as well as supporting the government in the implementation of community programs.
Village leaders and residents in the area welcomed the project, highlighting that once completed, it would relieve the population from the social, health and economic challenges.
Mr. Yonah Mughuda, the Chairperson Local Council I for Kisanga Village and Julius Mubambi, a resident explained that the lack of water in the parish had encouraged cases of defilement, rape and traffic accidents since the people were trekking long distances to the sources.
ENDS