BY JOACKIM KULE
Foundation for Urban and Rural Advancement (FURA) with funding from Action against Hunger is set to rehabilitate 14 water springs that were affected by the recent landslides and floods in Kasese district.
The rehabilitation program which is under a project codenamed, “Integrated Response to Floods and Landslides in Kasese district,” is aimed at mitigating the diverse impacts of floods and landslides in the district through the provision of the needed humanitarian and lifesaving services among others to the flood victims.
The initiative is also part of many other activities that are being implemented in the nine selected sub-counties in the district which were severely affected by the natural disasters a few months ago.
During the launch of the rehabilitation works yesterday in Mahango sub-county, Eng. Raphaeline Katusabe, the Kasese District Assistant Water Engineer, revealed that this particular project would cover only six sub-counties including Mahango, Nyakabingo, Maliba, Kyondo, Kyarumba and Kyarumba Town Council.
She explained that when the district experienced floods, they lowered the level of safe water coverage from 67% to 57%.
However, she categorically put it clear that some human activities also contributed to the decrease of the coverage level.
Eng. Katusabe noted that her department was concerned after the Water Quality Analysis indicated that some sub-counties including Nyakabingo, Kyondo, Mahango and Maliba were depending on contaminated water due to poor sanitation caused by low latrine coverage and human activities like distillation of local alcohol.
Kasese District Principal Assistant Secretary attached to the Chief Administrative Officer’s office, Mr. Mustafa Kikusa stressed that the district was in need of support because disasters were still being expected in the subsequent months due to heavy rains.
He urged the population to always boil water before drinking it in an attempt to avoid diseases that come along with consuming contaminated water.
Mr. Karim Baluku Kisembo, the Kasese District Secretary for Works and Technical Services who represented the District Chairperson, Mr. Eliphazi Muhindi Bukombi, warned alcohol distillers against the practice of contaminating water, arguing that the act affects both human and wildlife.
ENDS