Mukono district expands tap water access to rural communities

MUKONO, March 5, 2025 – The Chairperson of Mukono District, Rev. Peter Bakaluba Mukasa, has urged politicians to refrain from resisting development projects introduced in their areas that could benefit the people.

According to Bakaluba, politicians need to distinguish between service delivery and politicking to bring about meaningful change for their constituents.

Bakaluba made the remarks recently at the launch of a water project extension in Ntunda Subcounty, Nakifuma County, in Mukono district, where over 12 villages are set to benefit from the initiative.

The clergy-turned-politician emphasised the importance of prioritising service delivery to transform people’s lives.

The water extension project, implemented by Cabrid Technical Services as contractors, aims to provide tap water to twelve villages, addressing a long-standing water shortage in the area.

Mukono District Water Engineer, Eng. Denis Nadduli, presented the project’s implementation plan, noting that the first phase is expected to cost at least Shs 4 billion. He called for cooperation from residents and contractors to ensure the project’s success.

Councilor Robert Ssentongo Mwesigwa, Secretary for Works, Water, and Natural Resources, encouraged residents to support the project.

He also reassured them that the district was committed to improving road infrastructure, particularly in areas with poor road conditions.

The Assistant Town Clerk for Mukono Kayoro Pontius expressed appreciation to landowners who had donated land for the project without requesting compensation.

Local residents raised concerns about the absence of government staff, such as teachers and agricultural extension workers, in government-aided schools, which hampers the effectiveness of government programmes.

Led by Ntunda Chairperson Lutaya Robert, the community expressed gratitude to the district leadership and the government for bringing clean water to their area. They highlighted the struggles of children and mothers who often trek long distances to fetch water.

Access to clean and safe water in Uganda for 2022 stood at 18.68 percent, representing a 0.98 percent increase from 2021. In 2021, the figure was 17.70 percent, an increase of 0.96 percent from 2020, while in 2020, the rate was 16.75 percent, marking a 0.94 percent rise from 2019. Access to clean water in 2019 was 15.81 percent, a 0.91 percent increase from 2018.

More than 70 percent of all diseases treated in Uganda are directly linked to a lack of clean water or poor sanitation and hygiene practices. People in rural areas often rely on surface water sources, such as ponds, rivers, and lakes, which are frequently contaminated by livestock, nearby latrines, and debris from mudslides. These contaminants contribute to life-threatening illnesses such as diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis.

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