By Adolf Ayoreka
IBANDA
14000 residents of Irimya Parish Kicuzi Sub County in Ibanda district have a reason to smile after Rotary club of Mbarara launched a 1.4billion shillings water project that is going to provide clean and safe water to the seven villages.
The seven villages include, Kagyezi, Katongole, Byakazo, Rwebiyongi, Buhindagi, Kuruhisi and Rwenzigye.others are Irimya primary school and Kwerebera Primary School where they are going to construct toilets at each school.
This is being implemented with the partnership from Ibanda district and Acts Uganda and the project was launched on November 30, 2023 by the Assistant District governor for western zone three under D9214.
The water source for this water project is located in Kisaabo village.
Christine Ngabirano, a member of Rotary club of Mbarara who heads this water project said that they carried out a needs assessment and found out that residents of Irimya Parish have been using unsafe water in their homes and that about 40% of the diseases they have in the area are water bone related diseases.
“Our findings indicated that about 14000 who are in this parish need clean and safe water for domestic use as compared to other services. We had to mobilize funds and ensure that this project kick starts” said Ngabirano.
Annet Turyasemererwa, a resident of Ryakazo cell in Irimya Parish said that the water point they have in the area normally becomes hard to access water, saying that the running water fills up the water well and the water there becomes unsafe for use.
“At the completion of this water project, we shall be able to have clean water in our homes for washing our clothes, cooking and drinking.” Said Turyasemererwa.
Adding that by having clean water, it is going to reduce on their medical expenses they have been incurring in treating water bone related diseases among their children
Don Daglous Mugyenyi, President of Rotary Club of Mbarara said the project is going to be implemented in a phased manner for two years. Mugyenyi said that one of the areas of focus for Rotary is water and sanitation where they bring water closer to the population in an effort to promote disease prevention.
Nicholus Kagurusya, Assistant District Governor for western zone three asked the residents to ensure safety of the water equipment and report any vandalism of pipes and taps to the authorities.
“This water is yours, make sure you protect these pipes from being cut by unscrupulous people. Even the water source should be safeguarded from farmers who want to dig around and use chemicals that are harmful to human life” said Kagurusya.
Pictorial
