600 water tanks distributed to reduce human-wildlife clashes in Hoima, Kikuube

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In an effort to address increasing human and wildlife conflicts, local communities around Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve in Hoima and Kikuube districts have been provided with 600 rainwater harvesting tanks.

The 600 water harvesting tanks, worth sh800m, are being distributed under a project dubbed the Investing in Forest and Protected Areas for Climate Smart Development Project (IFPAC).

The project, which is funded by the World Bank, is benefiting over 100,000 people in water-stressed areas of Kabale and Buseruka subcounties in Hoima district, and Kabwoya and Kyangwali subcounties in Kikuube district.

Raymond Kato, the senior warden for Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, said the project, which started in 2021, is aimed at ending human and wildlife conflicts between communities and the game reserve through the promotion of co-existence.

"The project started in 2021 and is ending in June this year. The major aim of the project was to end conflicts between humans and wildlife, communities fetching water in parts of the reserve areas, at Lake Albert, and they end up being attacked by crocodiles and buffalo. Others could go to the reserve to fetch water and go with trap wires to poach animals, so the installation of these tanks is to curb these conflicts," Kato said.

He added that 600 water tanks of 5,000 litre and 10,000 litre capacities have been given to vulnerable households and institutions, including health centres, schools, police and churches, at no cost.

"About sh800 million has been used in this phase to install these tanks. We have considered local community members, schools, health centres, churches and the Uganda Police. We believe that these initiatives and other engagements like supporting beekeeping projects, formation of resource users’ associations will help us to curb human-wildlife conflicts," he said.

Santo Oyer, a resident and fisherman at Kyehoro landing site, described the installation of a tank at his home as a big relief to his family.

He noted that fetching water from the lake is like a death sentence because crocodiles attack children and women.

‘‘Access to safe and clean water at the lake has been a problem for years. We have lost people to crocodiles as they go to fetch water, so this project is lifesaving,” Oyer said.

Geofrey Kumakech Demaya, the Kaiso B LC1 chairperson in Kabale subcounty, commended the government for the project, saying that over 3,000 residents in his village have been saved from sharing water with wild animals.

He noted that most community members have iron sheet roofs but could not afford such tanks, forcing them to fetch water from Lake Albert, as the single borehole in the village could not serve the growing population.

"The installation of tanks has helped many people, but are not enough. We need more because we are many. The whole fishing village has only one borehole, which is not enough for the community, and this forces our people to hunt for water in the reserve area and at the lake,” he said.

Asaba Rodgers, a resident of Kaiso, Mbegu parish in Kabale subcounty, said the tank he received is helping eight households access clean water.

"We are now spending two months without going to fetch water because we harvest rainwater. We share it with our eight neighbours. Getting drinking water along the lakeshores is a real problem. We pray that the project will be expanded to other communities’’ Asaba said.

Richard Kugonza, the in-charge of Kikuube Health Centre IV in Kikuube district, said the facility, which serves over 20,000 people and handles more than 150 patients daily, has been struggling with access to water.

He noted that the installation of water tanks has brought relief, adding that the facility received six tanks installed in key areas such as the maternity ward, laboratory, theatre, and outpatient and inpatient wards.

"The water tanks came at the right time because our only water supply was faulty, and we had a water crisis. We serve a bigger population, and our operations need water for proper sanitation and other key activities in the theatre, laboratory and maternity ward," he said and commended UWA for considering the health facility.

Tibangaina Thereza, a 76-year-old resident of Nyakabale village in Kabwoya subcounty, said the tank she received has saved her from buying water daily. She added that she previously walked over five kilometres to fetch water from a community pond shared with animals.

Hillary Tumusiime, the secretary for health and social services, said Hoima district will continue working with UWA to support communication initiatives that promote coexistence between humans and wildlife.

According to the Hoima district water report, safe water coverage increased from 74.29% in 2024 to 75.07% in 2025.

The district police commander for Kikuube, Kyoto Barugahara, commended UWA for the initiative, saying it has reduced the cost of accessing water for police officers and their families.

Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve stretches to Lake Albert and the Albertine Rift Valley escarpment. It has the highest density of Uganda kobs in the country and has supported the restocking of other national parks and reserves.