Government pledges Access to safe and clean water: 1,500 boreholes to be constructed come next financial year
During the national budget reading event for the fiscal year 2023-2024, Matia Kasaija, the Minister of Finance in Uganda, pledged to enhance access to safe and clean water. The goal is to achieve 85% coverage in rural areas and 100% coverage in urban areas by 2025.
Communities in 1,050 villages and towns will get 1,500 boreholes to enable them to access clean safe water come next financial year, the Government has said.
“Access to safe and clean water will be enhanced to achieve 85% coverage in rural areas and 100% coverage in urban areas by the year 2025,” Matia Kasaija the Minister of Finance says.
He made the pledge on Thursday 15th June 2023 at the Kololo Ceremonial Grounds in Kampala at the national budget reading event for the fiscal year 2023–2024.
According to Kasaija, 70% of the country currently has access to safe, clean water for human consumption, with 67% of such access in rural areas and 72% in urban ones.
“In rural areas, gravity flow schemes have been completed at Lirima in Manafwa, Lukalu-Kabasanda in Butambala, and Nyabuhikye-Kikyenke in Ibanda. Piped water systems have also been constructed at Nyakabingo in Rukungiri, Kabuyanda in Isingiro, and Orom Water Supply System in Kitgum-Lamwo,” Kasaija said.
Minister Kasaija claims that 40 solar-powered mini-piped schemes have been built in 15 underserved areas, including Lyantonde, Sembabule, Yumbe, Rakai, Buyende, Kamuli, and Kakumiro, and are currently providing water to 173,000 people.
“In urban areas, nine piped water supply and sanitation systems have been completed in Dokolo, Padibe — Lamwo, Odramacaku — Arua, Kagadi, Morulem and Alerek (Abim), and Kambuga II — Kanungu,” Kasaija said.
9.6 trillion shillings were allotted for interventions to finance water programs as part of the endeavor to develop human capital. The government is also working with the World Bank to implement the $500 million (roughly Sh1.8 trillion) Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfer program, which will be used to build health centers III and IV, seed secondary schools, and install micro-scale irrigation systems in local governments that do not currently have these amenities.
