The Ugandan government, through the Uganda Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers Program (UGIFT), has started construction of a UGX 926 million piped water project in Hoima District to address long-standing water shortages and health challenges.

On Monday, June 23, 2025, the project broke ground in Kibanda Village, Kiganja Sub-county, with LUBRA Contractors Limited leading the construction. Scheduled for completion by December 2025, the new water system will serve over 3,000 households, greatly improving access to clean water in an area that has previously depended on unsafe and unprotected sources.

A source from Hoima District revealed that the system will include 28 tap-stands supplying eight villages Kibito, Kibanda, Kabwabwa, Kiganja, Kihungura, Kigwara, Kiryemiya, and Kiryandongo as well as public institutions such as schools, places of worship, and the Kiganja Sub-county headquarters.

Hoima District Water Officer Dean Mukidi outlined key features of the project, including solar-powered water pumps, reservoir tanks, a pump house, fencing, and sanitation facilities.

“This initiative will not only improve water access but also significantly reduce the spread of waterborne diseases in the community,” Mukidi stated.

Local leaders welcomed the development, given the persistent water challenges faced by their communities.

Kiganja Sub-county LCV Councillor James Mugenyi Mulindabura noted that residents previously shared water sources with wildlife, which posed serious health risks.

Similarly, Hoima LCV Chairperson Uthuman Kadir Mugisha acknowledged the acute water scarcity in Kiganja Sub-county and neighboring Kigorobya County, where many people depend on unsafe water from Lake Albert.

He warned the contractor against substandard work, stressing the need for quality service delivery.

Residents expressed optimism about the project’s potential. Richard Katusabe from Kibito Village looks forward to safer and easier water access, while David Karubanga, MP for Kigorobya County, called for strict oversight to ensure the project delivers value for money.

Patrick Musinguzi of Kiryandongo Village urged the contractor to uphold high construction standards, and Joyce Akugizibwe from Kigwara praised the project for its role in boosting domestic water supply.

Doreen Kyalisiima, another local resident, celebrated the promise of reliable clean water for her community.

This project marks a significant step towards improving health, hygiene, and overall quality of life in Hoima District, addressing decades of water insecurity affecting thousands of residents.