Kiryandongo District authorities have launched the drilling of deep boreholes and construction of production wells worth 477.5 million shillings in a renewed push to achieve 100 percent safe water coverage across the district.

The newly launched safe water facilities include production wells at Kirwala, Isunga and Diima, as well as deep boreholes at Palee, Lamogi, Kawiti East, Kisaranda, Kitaleba, Kiruli-Kibura, Wakisanyi-Kabungo, Nyamalebe, Kamusenene and Bedmot A villages. The district also commissioned safe water infrastructure implemented across the district in the fiscal year 2024/2025.

Speaking during the launch at Nyakatiiti II village, the District Chairperson, Edith Aliguma Adyeri, urged community members to make proper use of the government-provided water facilities to improve hygiene and sanitation. She emphasized that access to safe water will significantly reduce water-borne diseases, which have long been a challenge in many communities.

“The government has invested heavily in providing safe water. Communities must protect and properly utilize these facilities to improve their health and living conditions,” Aliguma said.

Salim Jacan, the Local Council I Chairperson of Nyakatiiti II village, welcomed the intervention but noted that safe water coverage in his area remains low. He appealed to the district to consider extending piped water under the Integrated Water Management and Development Project being implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment in Mboira Sub County.

Village elder Venencio Zunga highlighted the hardships residents have faced due to reliance on unprotected water sources. He explained that the community often shared water sources with animals, leading to persistent cases of diarrhea in households. Zunga said the new water sources will ease the burden on families by reducing medical expenses and minimizing the long distances women and children travel in search of water.

Residents also expressed relief following the commissioning of additional water points. Piracel Scovia, a resident of Nyakatiiti village, thanked the district leadership for providing a second borehole, noting that long queues at the single borehole had previously forced residents to fetch water late into the night or very early in the morning.

“We used to line up until 9:00 PM and wake up as early as 4:00 AM to fetch water. This new borehole has saved us from the stress and time wasted looking for water,” Piracel said.

The Mboira Sub County Chairperson, Jean Watumbe, commended the district leadership for extending various government programs aimed at improving livelihoods and transforming communities. He cited recent developments in the education sector, including the provision of fully furnished classrooms at Mboira Seed Secondary School and ongoing construction of new classrooms at Mboira Primary School.

According to district statistics, average safe water coverage in Kiryandongo currently stands at 77 percent. Nyamahasa Sub County leads with 95 percent coverage, while Mboira Sub County stands at 78 percent, slightly above the district average. District leaders say the ongoing water projects are expected to further raise coverage levels as Kiryandongo moves closer to its goal of universal access to safe water.