Piped water for Mpigi residents

By Juliet Lukwago

Residents of Bunnamweri village in Mpigi district have reason to smile after receiving hope for piped water, thanks to Stepping Stones Foundation of Hope (SSFOH), a charity organization.

The project run by SSFOH will cater for the installation of water supply pipelines, water kiosks and a pump station with a water reservoir tank. When the installation of the system is complete, the entire community will be able to access piped water.

 Fr. Francis Ssengendo, a teacher at Kisubi Seminary, officiated at the ceremony that took place in Bunnamweri village. He emphasized that safe water was a basic human need and urged the community to handle the water facility with care.

According to the project coordinator, Francis Bazzekuketta, each well supplied by the tap is valued at sh7m and is located a few metres away from the village. 

The charity organization has pledged its commitment to continue supplying safe water to the surrounding villages of Bukawamala, Kakoola, Kitavujja and others.  

“The villages with a high population have been provided with three wells to ensure uninterrupted water supply. The new wells will help provide safe drinking water to 30,000 residents.”

The putting up of the water wells has significantly saved the residents of the area from walking long distances to collect water for domestic use.

Fr. Ssengendo during the launch of the tap well looks as delighted as the residents who eargerly look on. PHOTO by Juliet Lukwago

The project initiation is in partnership with Mpigi town council. With the partnership, the organization provides the necessary funding as the residents of the town council provide manual labour for construction and installation. 

As most of the people who live in these villages are mixed farmers, the work was timed to coincide with the period when farmers can afford to be away from their fields.

“It has improved my life,” Maria Musoke, a resident of the area, sighs with relief. “Now we can rest a lot more.” 

The water from the pump available now has saved her time and effort. Before, she would have to walk miles to fetch water from the woods.

“Many residents are happy to see the improved service,” Matia Musisi, who operates the pump, sounds delighted.  The residents are also glad to be able to access clean and safer water.

“Every day, I used to wake up before dawn and walk for two to three hours downhill to collect water from the underground water," says 56-year-old Mohammed Musiitwa. 

"Carrying water-filled pots uphill to my home was painful.”

Musiitwa says that with the easy reach of water now, he can now afford to spend more time with his family unlike before.

Another resident, Susana Namakula, remembers that she broke so many water pots on her way back home from the underground well. Being a poor family, they could hardly afford to buy new pots.

“My husband would scold me every time I got back home with a broken pot from the well,” she explains, relieved that such incidents are no more with the water source within their reach now.

In turn, it has helped her family to save the little money they earn for other necessities other than buying new pots to replace the broken ones.