Ntungamo District Unveils Innovative Underground Water Storage System

The Ministry of Water and Environment has launched a groundbreaking Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) system in Kakukuru Town Council, Ntungamo District. This innovative project, implemented by the Department of International Transboundary Water Affairs (ITWA), captures surface water during rainy seasons and stores it underground for use during dry periods.

Representing the permanent secretary, Eng Sowed Sewagudde, commissioner for ITWA, highlighted the MAR system as a significant step in Uganda’s climate change adaptation strategy. Financial and technical support for the project was provided by the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Sewagudde described the MAR system as a sustainable alternative to traditional water supply methods. This pilot project in Ntungamo uniquely combines surface and groundwater sources to ensure a consistent water supply. It is expected to provide safe water to approximately 500 households, thereby improving public health, reducing water collection burdens, and fostering socio-economic development.

The Ministry has entrusted the operation and maintenance of the system to the Western Umbrella of Water and Sanitation to ensure its long-term sustainability. The project will also serve as a model for future groundwater recharge initiatives across Uganda, particularly in regions vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Wycliffe Tumwebaze, assistant commissioner at ITWA, emphasized the strong collaboration between the Ugandan government, UNDP, and NBI that led to the successful implementation of similar pilot projects in Ntungamo and Bulambuli districts. The system’s current capacity is 3.5 cubic meters per hour, with potential for expansion.

Dr. Abraha Adugna from the Nile Basin Initiative noted the project’s alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 6 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063. Residents like Adella Orishaba expressed gratitude, noting the significant improvement from previously fetching unsafe water from distant swamps. Local leaders, including Ntungamo District Resident Commissioner Miriam Kagaiga Mugisha, commended the initiative and appealed for further network expansion.

Source: https://observer.ug/news/new-innovative-water-project-set-to-transform-ntungamo-residents