New prepaid water system to eliminate waterborne disease cases
While commissioning the water project, Heifer International CEO Surita Sandosham added that access to water enhances dairy production and that it boosts productivity.
A new water source using solar at Buyenge village in Kiboga district on 20, June 2025. (Photos by Wilfred Sanya)
By Prossy Nandudu
Journalists @New Vision
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For a long time, residents of Muyenje village in Dwaniro sub-county, Kiboga district, have been walking between 15 and 18km from their homes to water sources, mostly dams.
Due to the limited number of water sources in the village, located in one of the cattle corridor districts of Uganda, the little water in the dams would be shared between livestock and humans.
To humans, many have been suffering from waterborne diseases, including diarrhoea, while livestock have been contracting foot and mouth diseases since the same water source was being used by cattle from different farmers, according to Ruth Nakku, a farmer and local leader.
Such a situation not only affected the health of the animals and residents, but also the quality of milk.
“Spoilage was too much because we couldn’t clean our containers well, we could also get less milk because the cows need a lot of water to produce milk. When there is no water, grass doesn’t grow well, so they also go hungry sometimes,” Moses Kyaligonza, a dairy says.
However, with the new water system that has been extended to places nearer to residents, the situation is expected to change, according to Nakku.
Heifer International CEO Surita Sandosham (right) listens to Stephen Kawooya (white jacket) the production manager at Dwaniro Dairy Cooperative during the commissioning of a water-powered source.
“Muyenge is one of the villages in the district that hasn’t had a clean water source. This water system will improve the health of our people, the quality of milk so I urge locals to cooperate and we maintain the water sources,” she added.
New solar-powered water system
Explaining the new water system Heifer International in Uganda country director William Matovu said the solar-powered water supply systems is one of the infrastructures that is in line with the organisation's mission of ending hunger and poverty by ensuring that farmers and communities have water.
“Clean water is the lifeblood of the dairy industry: From farm production to bulking at milk collection centres and up to processing plants run by companies. These water supply systems will contribute positively to the sector,” Matovu added.
The solar-powered water supply infrastructure was put in place through the Water 4 Dairy Business (W4DB) project that worked with Dwaniro Co-operative, local governments, Aqua for all and Heifer Uganda to deliver the project.
While commissioning the water project, Heifer International CEO Surita Sandosham added that access to water enhances dairy production and that it boosts productivity.
“We trust that the investment will change the quality of life for farming families within the community through reduced waterborne diseases, increased milk production and productivity and reduce the burden for women and children walking long distances to collect unsafe water,” Sandosham explained.
Representing the energy ministry, commissioner Brian Isabirye assured the team that the Government will continue to provide incentives, partnerships and regulatory frameworks that make renewable energy investments attractive and accessible.
He added that this project contributes to Uganda’s commitment to attain the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , specifically SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).