Kikuube residents, animals share water sources, MP intervenes
He urged local residents to maintain the boreholes responsibly, stressing the importance of setting up water source committees to ensure their upkeep.
Kikuube: The Buhaguzi East Member of Parliament, Stephen Aseera Itaza, has called on donors to prioritize Kikuube District in providing access to clean water.
Hon. Aseera said many sub-counties in the district still lack safe drinking water, with residents forced to use the same water sources as animals, leading to a rise in waterborne diseases.
Aseera made these remarks on Tuesday while commissioning eight boreholes in Buhimba Town Council, funded by the Islamic Centre for Education through the Dar Al Ber Society from the United Arab Emirates, at a total cost of Shs312 million.
The boreholes were constructed in partnership with the Itaza Development Foundation, providing relief to the communities of Bright Light Baptist School in Buhimba Town Council and Ruhunya Village in Buhimba Sub-County.
Hon. Aseera appreciated what the what the UAE and other implementors have done for them but continued to appeal to donors and partners to extend more support. Some villages still share water with animals, which has led to an increase in waterborne diseases.
The MP also urged local residents to maintain the boreholes responsibly, stressing the importance of setting up water source committees to ensure their upkeep.
Athuman Ssekakozi, head of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) at the Islamic Centre for Education, affirmed the organization’s commitment to continuing its support for water projects in the area, responding to community requests based on need.
Ssekakozi explained that they assess the requests made by the people, and if the need is valid, they forward it to their funders, adding that sometimes the funders are specific about the regions they want to support, but we strive to meet the needs of communities wherever possible.
Robert Muhumuza Mpanimanya, the mayor of Buhimba Town Council, acknowledged the progress made but called on the government to allocate more funds to the water and health sectors.
Muhumuza appreciates the donors’ support but says they need the government to increase funding for essential services like water and health so that we do not always have to rely on external help.
The residents from the villages of Kizinga-Kayia, Kigaya-Kigabanjonjo, Kikoboza-Kasato, and Buhimba town council, among others, appreciated the services, saying they are now going to save money they have been taking to hospitals treating water and bone diseases.
The new boreholes are expected to improve access to clean water in Buhimba, though more is needed to address the district’s broader water challenges.
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