With a population cover of over 7500 according to the household survey of august 2014 by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics, Greater Ngoma whose people mainly rely on cattle keeping and farming still has a challenge of adequate water supply with over 200 water points being non-functional for over five years.
The Reasons for non-functionality among others include low yield, technical breakout, water quality, and leaking among others thus exposing the cattle corridor to the inadequacy of water supply.
Meanwhile, there seems to be a waiver soon after the Minister of Public Service Wilson Muruli Mukasa has assured the government’s commitment to solving the prevailing water challenge for people and cattle within the greater Ngoma Cattle Corridor in Nakaseke District.
The minister revealed that government is yet to kick start construction of Ngoma Town Water supply and sanitation system and that the funds have already been displaced through the Ministry of Water and Environment under Water and sanitation development facility.
“In the process of executing all this process, the government is committed to zero tolerance to fraud and corruption and by this; quality water supply to our people will be achieved,” he said.
The minister was speaking in response to concerns by Greater Ngoma Development Foundation Chairperson Professor Wilber Ahebwa over the prolonged water crisis in the area at a function where the foundation handed over 50 beds to Ngoma Secondary School as well as commissioning 20 computers lobbied by the government by the foundation.
The minister however lauded the Greater Ngoma Development Foundation saying that it’s by their advocacy and lobbying initiatives that a number of good services are extended to the people of the area.
“In most cases, the implementation also depends on an adequate level of public awareness, willingness to promote and attain sustainable management which you Greater Ngoma Development Foundation have done very well,” he said.
Greater Ngoma Development Foundation is a joint effort umbrella body that brings together in their different capacities borns of the area and those working within with a sole purpose of identifying community problems and finding solutions.
The foundation ‘Grounded for Growth’ operates under objectives of mindset change, unity, lobbying, and advocacy, a social-economic transformation that feeds directly into the National Development Plan in which members effectively and jointly work towards better Greater Ngoma transformation
The foundation operates within areas of Ngoma Town Council and sub-counties of Ngoma, Kinoni, Kinyogoga, and Wakyato where it stands in engagement with different stakeholders among which include leaders from lower local authorities, religious and cultural leaders, Ministries, and concerned citizens.
Since her establishment, the foundation has achieved a number of progress which include lobbying installment of two telecommunication masts from MTN and Airtel.
“The Installation of these masts has since addressed and mounted the network issues in greater Ngoma areas, more than three masts are soon to be set up,” said Ahebwa, the foundation Chairperson.
Furthermore, the foundation managed to lobby computers for Kinyogoga seed Secondary School and Ngoma Secondary School as part of the initiatives of uplifting the education sector of the area.
“We are happy to inform our people in Ngoma and the General public that effort yield results, the ministry of education through our lobbying and advocacy efforts donated computers to our schools, and installation by UCC is already done,” said Ahebwa.,
The foundation further engaged with Joint Medical Stores on improved health service delivery in Greater Ngoma which has since resulted in an MOU to mark a working relationship in greater Ngoma.
“They agreed on providing reagents for the available machines at health centers in Greater Ngoma, extend health camps and also offer free technical services in repairing and maintenance of medical equipment in Greater Ngoma among others,” said Ahembwa.
Ahebwa said that through Unity in diversity they (Greater Ngoma Development Foundation) are committed to further transforming their society thus urging other concerned Citizens to join the noble cause.
