At least 31 per cent of households in Uganda lack access to clean and safe water and 19 per cent do not have access to sanitation.
In Maddu Sub-county, Gomba District, residents have to walk for close to 10 kilometres to find safe and clean water for domestic use.
His is an example of the difficulty the rest of the communities go through to access water in a sub-county where 69 per cent of households do not have access to clean and safe water.
The minister’s promise comes against a recent survey by Water.Org, a non-governmental organisation, that 61 per cent of Ugandans lack access to safe water and that 75 per cent do not have access to improved sanitation facilities.
The report also adds that 78 per cent households harvest rainwater as Plan B.
In Maddu Town Council where a solar-powered water pump has already been installed, residents pay Shs100 for a 20-litre jerrycan of water.
Mr Godfrey Kiviiri, the Gomba District chairperson, says: “As the population increases, safe water coverage will as well increase and save our people from the burden of sharing water sources with animals.
Water stressed districts need to be considered in a special way and given reasonable funds to increase safe water.” Not spared The water scarcity does not end at household level.
Ms Grace Kizito, the secretary for health and education, says health centres are ailing.
“It is lack of clean water that has seen Maddu Health Centre IV theatre non-functional for close to four years now yet it is the top ranked government facility in the district,” she reveals.