Japan gives Uganda commits sh470m for water, health projects

By Taddeo Bwambale            

The Japanese Embassy in Uganda has signed two contracts worth sh470m to improve access to water and health services in two districts of Butambala and Maracha.

One of the projects worth $91,037 (sh248m) involves construction of nine boreholes and three water tanks in Butambala district which has a high unmet need for clean water.

The facilities will be established in three sub-counties of Bulo, Budde and Kalamba sub-counties where authorities say over 43,000 residents lack access to safe and clean water.

The grant for setting up the water facilities was awarded to Voiceless Orphan Taskforce Uganda, a local community organisation which will also teach hand washing in schools.

Another grant worth $99,538 (sh271m) was given to St Joseph’s Hospital in Maracha district for the installation of a solar PV system and renovation of the hospital’s’ faulty water pump system.

The Japanese ambassador to Uganda, Junzo Fujita, at a grant signing ceremony held at the Japanese embassy said the grants were part of a programme to fund local development projects.

The programme dubbed Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects has funded 190 projects in Uganda in education, health, water and other areas since its inception in 1992.