Clean water access: Govt hails private firms

According to the Water and Environment Sector Performance Report, there is still a need to manage the water and environment resources in a sustainable manner to be able to meet all the different development economic activities.

As of June 2018, the percentage of Uganda's rural population with access to safe water is estimated to be 70%, this figure has remained unchanged since June 2017.

The total number of villages with at least a safe water source increased from 57,585 (64% of all villages) in FY 2016/17 to 57,974 (66% in FY 2017/18.) Similarly, access to safe drinking water in urban water has increased to 74% as of June 2018 (up from 71%).

The increased access to safe water has been made possible by private players such as the Kasthew Borehole Drilling Company Uganda.

Kasthew, who been in the industry of borehole drilling, and supplying of solar water systems, Hand Pumps, water pumps, and solar boreholes, are so far ranked the best in the country, by experts in the water industry. Over the years, the Kasthew team of experts has drilled over 400 boreholes in Mityana, Mbarara, Manafwa, Kiboga, Kampala, Mukono, and Wakiso among others.

Given Uganda's population growth of over 3 percent per year, one of the highest in the world, puts a considerable strain on public sector service delivery, for water and
sanitation, and thus calls for extra efforts and support by excellent players in the field of borehole drilling such as Kasthew Borehole Drilling Company Uganda limited.

Kasthew was formed way back in 2015 with the sole purpose of providing services in borehole drilling and Geotech solutions, water well systems, solar water systems, and pipeline water projects. Over the years, they have won contracts to supply and drill boreholes in South Sudan, DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi, on top of leading the pack in

Uganda. "We are so far considered the best in the country, given the fact we have the best modern and latest machines in the continent. We are glad that we have been recognized for drilling boreholes for schools, health units, farm, and local communities across Uganda," said Mathias Kasujja the Chief Executive Officer Kasthew Borehole Drilling Company Uganda Limited.

Minister for Water and Environment, Sam Cheptoris said the Government's plans to ensure there is a borehole constructed in each village in Uganda can only be achieved through the support of the private players in the provision of safe water by Kasthew Borehole Drilling Company Uganda.

Eng. Joseph Oriono Eyatu, the Commissioner for Rural Water Supply and Sanitation at the Ministry of Water and Environment said there is a recorded improvement regarding the provision of safe water in rural areas.

"Government through the ministry of Water and Environment plans to increase access to clean and safe drinking water to communities through the construction of at least a borehole in every village of Uganda, and we need of such private players," said Eyatu.