Hoima MP and One Ummah Uganda Tackle Water Scarcity with 10 New Boreholes

Residents of Hoima City are breathing a sigh of relief as their Woman Member of Parliament, Nyakato Asinansi, and the organization One Ummah Uganda have jointly commissioned ten new boreholes. This vital project aims to combat the severe water shortage that has plagued the community, forcing many to rely on unsafe and distant water sources, sometimes even sharing with wildlife.

The lack of access to clean water has had serious consequences, exposing residents to waterborne diseases and increasing healthcare costs. MP Nyakato Asinansi highlighted that addressing this issue was a key promise during her election campaign.

“We noticed a big problem during the campaigns, especially regarding where these people were fetching water,” Nyakato explained. She reached out to One Ummah Uganda, a group that had previously supported her with thirteen boreholes, who agreed to provide ten more.

These new boreholes are strategically located in several communities, including Rusembe II, Bujwahya, Ruyanja, Rwenkobe, Kinubi, and Bwikya cells, among others. The intervention is expected to significantly reduce the incidence of diseases linked to unsafe water consumption.

One Ummah Uganda’s Programmes Manager, Harunah Mubiru, confirmed that their assessment revealed widespread reliance on contaminated water sources, leading to illnesses like bilharzia. The organization stepped in to facilitate the construction of safer alternatives.

MP Nyakato urged the beneficiary communities to form water source management committees. These committees will be responsible for overseeing the boreholes, ensuring their maintenance, and protecting them from vandalism, thereby guaranteeing their long-term sustainability.

Nyakato also pointed to challenges faced by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) in Hoima, including underfunding and the degradation of water sources due to environmental factors and encroachment, which hinder efforts to expand water supply to all areas of the city.

Local leaders, such as Kibingo Ward Councillor Ivan Kirungi, have welcomed the initiative, emphasizing the profound impact it will have on residents’ lives by providing readily available safe water. The boreholes were constructed on land provided by religious institutions and private landowners, demonstrating community collaboration in resolving the water crisis.

Source: Nile Post