New water sources restore hope to water-scarce Kamuli communities

3 July 2026, 10:16 am

By Ali lukomo

A young politician-turned-philanthropist has launched a charitable initiative aimed at addressing water scarcity in Kamuli District, following concerns that many communities are sharing water sources with animals.

Through his non-governmental organisation, Sparrows and Eagles International, Mr Ntende Julius is working to construct over 50 boreholes across different sub-counties in Kamuli District.

In an interview, Mr Ntende said he was moved to act after observing during his political campaigns that many communities lacked access to clean and safe water, with residents relying on unsafe sources shared with livestock. He also noted that other challenges identified included domestic violence linked to socio-economic hardships.

He said that after establishing his organisation, he decided to focus on improving access to safe water as a way of restoring hope and improving living conditions in the community through the provision of boreholes.

According to his plan, the project aims to provide water sources to several sub-counties, including Kagumba, Balawoli, Nabwigulu, and Namasale. Many of these communities are affected by a lack of clean and safe water, which has contributed to broader social challenges, including domestic violence and, in some cases, the rise of street children due to weakened family structures. This is attributed to household conflicts that sometimes lead to separation, leaving children without adequate care and support, and forcing some onto the streets in search of survival and protection.

The Kamuli District Water Engineer, Mr Waiswa Tom, said that 29 per cent of the population still lacks access to clean water. He noted that the district is working hard to extend water supply closer to communities. He also commended Sparrows and Eagles International for the initiative, saying it is complementing government efforts to improve access to safe water, and pledged full support to the organisation provided they continue working collaboratively towards the same goal.

Kamuli District is located in the Eastern Region of Uganda, within the Busoga sub-region. It has a population of approximately 170,000 people; however, access to safe water remains a significant challenge, and stakeholders say government should prioritise addressing this gap to prevent further socio-economic consequences.

Although the district is surrounded by major water bodies, including Lake Kyoga and the River Nile to the south and north, access to clean and safe water is still limited for many communities.

Kamuli District shares borders with Kayunga, Buyende, Jinja, Kaliro, and Luuka districts.