We are committed to construct more water supply systems in the country-Water and environment ministry

30 November 2024, 6:56 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The ministry of water and environment has presented to the nation what they have been able to do and what they are committed to continue doing as mandated. Kyenshama Dam in Mbarara district was completed. This Dam had created a storage capacity of 3 million cubic meters serving up to 190,000 herds of cattle throughout the year. Geregere Dam, this dam is in Omot and Lira Palwo in Agago district. Once completed, the dam will create a storage capacity of 1 million cubic meters serving up to 10,500 herds of cattle throughout the year .

Kyahi Dam in Gomba district construction was halted due to land related challenges. The ministry is securing an alternative site for construction of a communal valley tank to serve the livestock farmers in the area. Ojama Dam in Serere district was also under construction and once completed, the dam will create a storage capacity of 3 million cubic meters serving up to 10,500 herds of cattle throughout the year there by increasing income through increased production and productivity of livestock.

Construction of 500 private valley tanks and 120 communal valley tanks for livestock watering in the cattle corridor districts with affirmative action offered to particular areas. The ministry has so far constructed 134 Valley tanks on individual farms and this has created water storage capacity of 536 million liters serving 85,000 herds of cattle throughout the year employing over 650 people along the value chain.

According to the ministry, the waste management regulations 2020 are being enforced. The national environment management authority NEMA is also developing express penalty, administrative fine and coerce fine regulations to re-enforce implementation of the waste management regulations. NEMA has carried out awareness campaign initiatives to educate the public in waste handling, these include; Taasa Obutonde media campaign that aims at raising public awareness on the environmental risks from improper use and disposal of plastics This is being done in partnership with Vivo Energy, KCCA, among others.

Despite of the milestones the ministry has reached, there are challenges they have faced along the way. Delayed approvals by the third parties. This has delayed approvals by the development partners in the form of securing funds. No Objection is one of the major challenges that has affected the ministry’s activities. The presentation has been done by the permanent secretary, Ministry of Water and Environment, Okot Okidi, on behalf of Hon. Sam Cheptoris.