Kabale District leaders Call for Collective Action to Tackle Waterborne Diseases & Improve Water Access

By Alex Byakatonda

 

Communications Officer-Kabale

 

The Kabale Resident District Commissioner, Godfrey Nyakahuma, has called for a united approach to tackle waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and diarrhea, emphasizing that Uganda’s disease burden is significantly impacted by preventable illnesses.

Nyakahuma made these remarks during the belated World Water Day celebrations at Nyabitabo Primary School in Kaharo Sub-county. Although World Water Day is officially observed on March 22, Kabale District chose to mark the day today under the theme “Water and Environment: Water Resources for Enhanced Resilience and Improved Incomes and Livelihoods.”

 

Nyakahuma stressed that it is crucial for all stakeholders to collaborate in addressing the risk of waterborne and diarrheal diseases, pointing out the high costs associated with treating such illnesses. He commended implementing partners for working alongside the district to provide residents with clean and safe water, highlighting the significant progress in reducing the number of households that share water sources with animals.

 

The Kabale District Speaker and Kaharo Sub-county Female Councilor, Flavia Nyinakiiza Kanagizi, also spoke at the event, pointing out that certain areas of the sub-county, including Nyakatare, Katenga, and Burambira, still face water scarcity and require urgent attention. Nyinakiiza expressed concern over the fact that 74% of households do not wash their hands after using the latrine, a situation made worse in schools and other educational institutions where handwashing practices are often not enforced, putting students at risk.

Emmy Namanya, the Senior Assistant Secretary in the office of the Chief Administrative Officer, who represented Chief Administrative Officer John Asiimwe, emphasized the importance of promoting behavior change among residents to improve sanitation and hygiene practices. Namanya also called attention to the alarming trend of elderly people engaging in open defecation and resisting change. Additionally, he underscored the need to strengthen village water user committees, as many villages struggle to raise funds for maintaining and repairing water infrastructure.

 

According to Spencer Ngabirano, the Senior Assistant Engineering Officer for Water, Kabale District has made significant strides in providing access to safe water, with 90% of residents now having access to clean water, and 86% of water sources functioning. This exceeds the national averages of 65% access to safe water and 67% rural access. The district has 1,968 domestic water points, serving a total of 223,150 people, with 172,084 of them residing in rural areas. In terms of sanitation, the district has achieved 86% latrine coverage, though handwashing remains a challenge at 26%.

Ngabirano also highlighted that the district has prioritized the construction of rainwater harvesting tanks in hilly areas to improve water accessibility. So far, two 50,000-liter tanks have been completed in Kateete-Nkora and Rugyeshi villages in Butanda Sub-county during the 2024/2025 fiscal year, with plans for further expansion. Additionally, efforts are underway to rehabilitate existing water sources to improve their functionality.

 

Since 2023, the water sector has been focusing on identifying parishes and villages where residents are encouraged to adopt sanitation best practices. This year, three villages in Kaharo Sub-county—Nyakahita, Kyamakamba, and Kasharara—were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).

 

The water coverage in Kabale District varies by sub-county:

 

Maziba: 95%

 

Buhara: 95%

 

Kamuganguzi: 81%

 

Kitumba: 95%

 

Kyanamira: 95%

 

Kaharo: 95%

 

Butanda: 66%

 

Greater Rubaya: 95%

 

As Kabale District continues its efforts to improve water access and sanitation, the commitment to fighting preventable diseases and enhancing the well-being of residents remains a top priority.

 

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