By James Bakama
Eight villages in Kiryandongo occupied by people relocated from the 2011 Bududa landslides are to get a 66% boost in clean water from proceeds of the 2012 MTN Kampala marathon.
A total of sh307m will be used to increase the water supply from the existing three boreholes to ten, explained Uganda Red Cross Secretary General Michael Nataka.
Nataka outlined the plans on Friday after receiving a dummy cheque from MTN Uganda CEO Mazen Mroue at a breakfast event held at Serena Hotel.
The Red Cross will oversee the project implementation.
Last year, MTN partnered with Red Cross, Pinnacle Security, Uganda Athletics Federation, Vision Group, Huawei, Rwenzori Beverages and Uganda Police to organize the ninth edition of the marathon.
Annual Marathon grows
The annual marathon has grown from an event that started off with 1500 entrants to one that at times attracts 20,000 runners.
“MTN and our partners are committed to enhancing development in the communities in which we do business, not just by providing universal access to communication, but through provision of essential necessities,” said Mroue.
The Bududa landslides caused significant damage to farmland, crops and livestock and claimed over 400 human lives before displacing an estimated 5000 people.
Over sh700m has over the last nine years been raised from the marathon to help the less privileged in various parts of Uganda.
Proceeds from the 2011 event were used for provision of clean water to Amuria district.
Ernst Fonternel, the MTN Chief Marketing Officer, promised an even better marathon this year.
