1,500 Kigumba residents get clean water
For years, residents trekked long distances to fetch water, exposing women and children to various risks along the way. Katamarwa LC1 chairperson Abas Lumago said the new water source has eased a major challenge for local residents.
Residents of Katamarwa Village in Kigumba, Kiryandongo District, fetch clean water. (Courtesy)
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About 1,500 residents of Katamarwa in Kigumba, Kiryandongo district, can now access clean and safe water following the installation of a community borehole, ending years of dependence on distant water sources that forced many households to walk long distances in search of water.
The borehole, located at Hidaya Mosque, was installed at a cost of more than sh25m and is expected to serve both the mosque and the wider community.
For years, residents trekked long distances to fetch water, exposing women and children to various risks along the way. Katamarwa LC1 chairperson Abas Lumago said the new water source has eased a major challenge for local residents.
"We are grateful to for this support. You know, if you do not have water in itself, it is a big challenge. The women and children encounter challenges including sexual harassment as a result of fetching water from far," Lumago said.
The development has also been welcomed by leaders at Katamarwa Hidaya Mosque. Ahmad Wamuteko, a resident and imam of the mosque, said the facility would support both religious activities and the daily needs of households in the area.
"As an Imam of the area, I am delighted that we received the water within our mosque," Wamuteko said.
"Prayer cannot be performed unless there is water," he said.
Wamuteko added that the benefits of the borehole would extend beyond worshippers.
"The community has been lacking water. As of now, the community is very, very happy for the presence of that water. We are using not only the mosque, but the community at large," he said.
A health investment
The project is part of broader efforts aimed at improving community health and wellbeing through access to safe water.
He said Katamarwa was selected because of the community's need for a reliable source of clean water.
Rahim Majaz, operations manager, said it was a proud moment to see children and families benefitting from the new water source.
Wider water challenge
The water shortage previously experienced by Katamarwa residents reflects a broader challenge facing many communities across Uganda, particularly in rural areas.
Although Uganda has made progress in expanding access to improved water sources, significant gaps remain. UNICEF data indicates that about 63% of Uganda's population uses at least basic drinking-water services, while only about 18% has access to safely managed drinking-water services. About 23% rely on limited services, while others still depend on unimproved sources or surface water.
The water ministry has also highlighted disparities in access to water between rural and urban communities.
Globally, the 2025 WASH report shows that about 2.2 billion people gained access to safely managed drinking water between 2000 and 2024. However, progress remains uneven, with millions still facing significant inequalities in access to safe water.