Unidentified people have vandalized rain water harvesting tanks installed in government aided primary and secondary schools in Luweero district plunging the schools into a water crisis. The water tanks were donated by the United Nations Children Education Fund-UNICEF in 2000 under the hand washing campaign to improve hygiene amongst pupils. As a result, the ministry of Water and Environment sunk several boreholes to complement the harvested rain water in the schools. However, reports from the school indicate that most of the water tanks and boreholes have been vandalized by residents after they were stopped by the school authorities from accessing water there.
Julius Kaggwa, the LC III chairman Kikyusa Sub County says that they received ten water tanks under the UNICEF program but none of them is functioning. He explains that some of the residents decided to destroy the tanks after being denied access to water by the school administrators. Kaggwa lists some of the schools affected by the vandalism as Buzibwera, Kibengo Roman Catholic, Bumbu and Kiziba primary school.
He says they have petitioned the district water department to construct a wall fence around the remaining tanks to protect them from being destroyed by residents but nothing has been done. Livingstone Kategeya, the LC III chairman Kamira sub county says that all the boreholes sank in the area have broken down because of the high number of residents and pupils using them. He explains that the sub county lacks funds to rehabilitate the borehole, adding that they have referred the matter to the district administration for intervention but they have not received any response.
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Richard Ssembajjwe, the head master Wobulenzi Public primary school says that as a result of the vandalism they have suspended the hand washing campaign exposing their pupils and teachers to infection. Ssembajjwe appeals to ministry of water and NGO’s to sink more boreholes near the schools so that they can be utilized by residents and pupils amicably.
Olivia Nakate, a parent at Buzibwera primary school says that unless the water ministry improves on water coverage in the area, residents will continue destroying the water source since they have no access to water. Florence Bbosa, the Luweero district Education Officer Florence Bbosa and Water officer Robert Kalenzi have confirmed the destruction of the tanks and boreholes, but says they lack money to maintain and repair the facilities.
Bbosa says that they have decided to partner with none government organizations to offer alternative water for the hand washing campaign as well as sensitize residents. According to the 2012/2013 budget Luweero district plans to spend 44 million shillings to repair both community and boreholes. Statistics from the district water department indicates that 41% of residents in Luweero also have no access to safe water.
