Rainwater Tanks Reduce Wildlife Risks for Hoima and Kikuube Residents

Hundreds of households near Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve in Hoima and Kikuube districts now have clean water at home thanks to 600 rainwater harvesting tanks. This initiative cuts down risky ventures into wildlife zones and Lake Albert shores for water.

Previously, water shortages forced residents into protected areas or lake edges, exposing them to crocodile attacks and enabling poaching. Raymond Kato, Senior Warden at Kabwoya Wildlife Reserve, highlighted the project’s role in a World Bank-funded conservation effort started in 2021 to ease human-wildlife tensions.

The free tanks, holding 5,000 to 10,000 liters, went to vulnerable families, schools, health centers, churches, and police posts in Kabale, Buseruka, Kabwoya, and Kyangwali sub-counties. About Shs800 million funded this phase, complemented by beekeeping and community groups.

Fisherman Santo Oyer from Kyehoro Landing Site called the tanks life-saving, noting past losses of women and children to crocodiles. In Kaiso village, Rodgers Asaba’s tank serves eight families, lasting up to two months without refills.

Local leader Geoffrey Kumakech Demaya said demand exceeds supply, with over 3,000 people once sharing one borehole. Institutions benefited too: Kikuube Health Centre IV got six tanks for maternity, lab, theatre, and outpatient areas, vital for serving 20,000 people.

Kikuube Union Vision Secondary School received seven tanks, ending long water-fetching queues that caused lateness and conflicts. Elderly Tibangaina Thereza no longer walks kilometers to animal-shared ponds.

Community groups like Moses Mugume’s in Kwonga forest use 13 tanks while protecting ecosystems. Hoima officials report slight water coverage gains and plan expansions.

Kabwoya Reserve, rich in Uganda kobs, supports broader conservation.

Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)