Relief as Butabika residents get footbridges and clean water

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Residents of Butabika Hospital village in Kampala's Nakawa division have received a major boost after the area leadership and the Church of Christ commissioned two footbridges and a community borehole worth sh100 million to improve transport and access to clean water in the flood-prone area.

The projects were commissioned on Friday (May 22) and launched under the church’s global Care For Humanity campaign.

They are expected to benefit thousands of residents who for years have grappled with risky crossings, flooding and long distances in search of safe water.

Church of Christ minister Brother Christian Valdez said the initiative was aimed at offering long-term solutions to vulnerable communities rather than temporary relief through food donations and handouts.

Valdez said the church decided to intervene after learning of repeated flooding, unsafe wooden crossings and water shortages affecting residents, including church members living within the community.

“We saw people drinking dirty water and others walking very long distances to fetch clean water. During floods, movement becomes dangerous and difficult. We wanted to simplify life for the community."

He said the projects were funded through voluntary contributions from church members across different countries where the church operates, adding that similar humanitarian activities are ongoing in Africa and other parts of the world.

According to Valdez, the church recently inaugurated another borehole at Kireka Rehabilitation Centre for the disabled in Kampala after discovering that persons with disabilities were crossing busy roads on crutches in search of water.

“This is not just about preaching. We believe love should be shown through actions. Water is needed every day, and safe access helps communities for a long time."

Area chairman Isaac Namabaale said the bridges will save lives in an area where several residents have drowned while trying to cross flooded channels during heavy rains.

“From January up to now, around four or five people have drowned in this trench because of poor bridges. Children have been falling while crossing, and business people have struggled to transport goods."

He said that schools, homes and trading centres in the area had for years been cut off whenever floods intensified, forcing residents to take longer and more dangerous routes.

Namabaale said the new bridges will improve movement between Butabika, Chito and Kasokoso, especially for school children, farmers and traders transporting food and merchandise across the communities.

He also welcomed the new borehole, saying many families in the area cannot afford monthly National Water bills despite the growing demand for clean and safe water.

“The people here are many, and water has been a major challenge. This borehole is going to help schools, homes and people from the farming communities around this area."

Nakawa Division Mayor-elect Ali Bukeni, popularly known as Nubian Li, in a phone interview with New Vision, commended the church for combining spiritual work with community development projects that benefit both members and non-members.

The bridge and borehole inauguration followed another “Care For Humanity” activity held in Bugiri district on Thursday this week, where the church funded a free medical camp that provided consultations, laboratory tests and medicines to vulnerable residents unable to afford healthcare that benefited hundreds of people in Eastern Uganda

Church leaders said the Uganda activities mark the beginning of a wider humanitarian campaign expected to expand to more communities facing challenges related to water, healthcare and transport infrastructure.