The embassy of Japan in Uganda, through the Agency for Co-operation in Research and Development (ACORD), has launched a project to construct a 300,000-litre water tank and two blocks of pit latrines (five stances for boys and five stances for girls). 

Isingiro district social services secretary Rudoviko Byarugaba officiated at the breaking of the ground ceremony witnessed by different government officials and representatives from ACORD.

ACORD Uganda Southwestern region programmes manager John Najuna said the fund for the project to the tune of shillings 245 million is intended to address the needs of the school and contribute to its long-term sustainability and performance. 

“This funding is coming after an assessment which found out that they had a big gap in the hygiene and sanitation services and provision for safe and clean water for the students,” Najuna said during the function on Wednesday in Bukanga sub-county, Isingiro.

He urged the management of the schools to support the contractors to make sure the work is done within 10 months.

Byarugaba hailed the Embassy of Japan for the support they have given to Isingiro saying the project will improve the education standards of the district. 

He reported that Isingiro district has a total of 196 primary schools, 21 government secondary schools and 2 tertiary institutions all of which lack clean and safe water. 

Kigaragara Voc SS headteacher Julius Begumya hailed the Embassy of Japan and ACORD for their support and believes the project will help them address the challenge of the water crisis they have suffered for years. 

Isingiro district inspector of schools Arinda Sarah reported that the challenge of water shortage in the district has contributed to the increasing numbers of school dropouts and believes with support from the Embassy of Japan the trend will change. 

The Rev. Can. Agasha Muhwezi, diocesan secretary of Ankole Diocese, lauded the embassy for stepping up efforts to improve the health of children in Isingiro schools and saving them from walking long distances to go and fetch water.

 According to him, Ankole diocese has 293 schools, which are water-stressed.