Kikuube, Hoima communities receive 600 rainwater harvesting tanks worth Shs 800mln

KIKUUBE, May 9, 2026 — In a bid to reduce escalating human-wildlife conflicts, communities living around the Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve in Hoima and Kikuube districts have received 600 rainwater harvesting tanks.

The tanks, valued at Shs 800 million, were provided under the Investing in Forest and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development Project [IFPAC], which is funded by the World Bank.

The project is benefiting more than 100,000 residents in water-stressed areas of Kabale and Buseruka sub-counties in Hoima District, as well as Kabwoya and Kyangwali sub-counties in Kikuube district.

Raymond Kato, the Senior Warden at Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, said the project, which began in 2021 and ends in June this year, was designed to minimise conflicts between communities and wildlife by improving access to water.

“The project was initiated to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. Many residents used to fetch water from areas within the reserve and from Lake Albert, where they were vulnerable to attacks by crocodiles and buffaloes,” Kato explained.

“Some people would also enter the reserve under the guise of fetching water but carry trap wires for poaching. Installing these tanks is intended to address such conflicts by bringing water closer to the communities.”

Kato said the project has distributed 600 tanks with capacities of 5,000 and 10,000 litres to vulnerable households and institutions, including schools, health centres, churches and police facilities, free of charge.

“About Shs800 million has been spent in this phase of the project. We targeted households, schools, health centres, churches and Uganda Police facilities. Together with initiatives such as beekeeping projects and the formation of resource users’ associations, we believe this will significantly reduce human-wildlife conflicts,” he added.

Residents say the intervention has greatly improved access to safe water and reduced the dangers associated with fetching water from Lake Albert and protected areas.

Santo Oyer, a fisherman at Kyehoro Landing Site, described the installation of a tank at his home as a major relief for his family.

“Fetching water from the lake has always been risky because of crocodile attacks, especially on women and children. We have lost many people over the years. This project is truly lifesaving,” Oyer said.

Geofrey Kumakech Demaya, the LC1 chairperson of Kaiso B Village in Kabaale Sub-county, commended the government and Uganda Wildlife Authority [UWA] for the initiative, saying it had saved more than 3,000 residents from relying on unsafe water sources shared with wild animals.

“Most homes here have iron-sheet roofs suitable for rainwater harvesting, but residents could not afford tanks. The village has only one borehole, which is inadequate for the growing population, forcing many people to fetch water from the lake and reserve areas,” Demaya said.

“The tanks have helped many households, but more are still needed because the demand for safe water remains high.”

Asaba Rodgers, a resident of Kaiso in Mbegu Parish, said the tank he received now serves eight neighbouring households.

“We can now spend up to two months without going to fetch water because we harvest and store rainwater. Access to clean drinking water along the lakeshore has always been a serious challenge. We hope the project can be expanded to reach more communities,” he said.

At Kikuube Health Centre IV, the installation of water tanks has eased a long-standing water crisis.

Richard Kugonza, the officer in charge of the facility, said the health centre, which serves a catchment population of more than 20,000 people and handles over 150 patients daily, had struggled with unreliable water supply.

“The tanks came at the right time because our main water system had broken down. We need water for sanitation and critical operations in the maternity ward, theatre and laboratory,” Kugonza said.

The health facility received six tanks installed at key service points, including the maternity ward, laboratory, theatre and outpatient and inpatient departments.

“We are grateful to UWA for considering this facility because reliable water supply is essential for healthcare delivery,” he added.

For 76-year-old Tibangaina Thereza, a resident of Nyakabale Village in Kabwoya Sub-county, the tank has reduced the burden of walking long distances for water.

“I used to walk more than five kilometres every day to fetch water from a community pond shared with animals. Now I no longer have to spend money buying water or make those exhausting trips,” she said.

Hillary Tumusiime, Hoima District Secretary for Health and Social Services, said the district would continue partnering with UWA to promote peaceful coexistence between communities and wildlife.

According to the Hoima District water report, safe water coverage increased from 74.29 per cent in 2024 to 75.07 per cent in 2025.

Kikuube District Police Commander Kyoto Barugahara also praised the initiative, saying it had reduced the cost burden of water on police officers and their families.

Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve stretches along Lake Albert and the Albertine Rift Valley escarpment. The reserve is known for having the highest concentration of Uganda kobs in the country and has played a major role in restocking other national parks and wildlife reserves with the species.

https://thecooperator.news/kikuube-launches-community-led-reform-of-fishing-sector-on-lake-albert/

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