Since 2012, Water For People has been steadfast in supporting the Kamwenge District Local Government. This is in fulfilling its mandate of providing safe and sustainable water and sanitation services. Through the innovative Everyone Forever Model, we aim to ensure that everyone can access sustainable WASH services. That is to say, every household, public institution, and community.
Particularly, to ensure access to clean and safe water, Water For People completed the rehabilitation of the Nkarakara piped water supply and sanitation system. This will benefit seven villages in Kahunge Town Council. Additionally, there was extension of piped water supply to 35 villages. This was across Nkoma and Kahunge Sub Counties, as well as the Town Councils of Kahunge, Kabuga, and Rukunyu.
This system, designed to serve a population of 14,412 people (9,071 Domestic Population and 5,341 Non-Domestic), has registered remarkable progress in transforming the lives of many individuals and communities. This includes Bicweka Chance, a retired school inspector and dedicated UNEB scout living in Kihuura village, Kahunge sub-county.
"It was like a dream to us," says Bicweka Chance.
Before the intervention of Water For People Uganda, Bicweka and his family faced significant challenges in accessing clean water. This is because they had to ride a motorcycle four kilometres to fetch water from a local dugout in the valleys. This water was often contaminated, leading to health issues like typhoid.
"The water that we were using was very brown and smelling of cow dung because cows would drink from the same ponds. It was also a struggle to fetch water, especially during the dry season when dust and dirt would contaminate the source that we had," Bicweka recalls.
The struggle was immense, with hours lost each day just to secure enough water for daily tasks.
As a School Inspector, Bicweka also witnessed the impact of lack of water and distant water sources on some children in schools where he worked.
Children in my community were particularly affected," Bicweka adds. "Many had to fetch water from long distances before going to school, which affected their punctuality and concentration in class." The time-consuming and physically demanding task of fetching water took a toll on the children’s education and overall wellbeing.
However, with the construction and rehabilitation of Nkarakara piped water system, everything changed. The new water system brought a wave of change to the community of Kihuura in Kahunge Town Council. "Now, I no longer ride or spend money on fuel to fetch water. We drink clean water as opposed to the one we used to get from wells. It has assisted us a lot," Bicweka explains. The proximity of the water tap made daily activities more manageable and significantly improved the quality of life for his family.
"Protected water minimizes contracting diseases. When you are taking this protected water, you are sure that the water is good," Bicweka notes. With clean water now readily available, Bicweka and his family are no longer worried about contamination of water and risks of waterborne diseases. The convenience also brought economic benefits, saving money previously spent on fuel and healthcare. The family now stores water in drums and jerrycans, allowing them to maintain a reliable supply even on days when water is not pumped or flowing. This proactive approach ensures they always have access to clean water
"Water is life. Without water, there is no life. This project has brought life to our community and for that, we are deeply grateful," Bicweka says. For him, the provision of clean water represents more than just a basic necessity. It signifies hope, health, and a brighter future for his family and the entire community.