Kyenjojo District has today celebrated World Water Day, and Sanitation Week, at a colorful ceremony held at Kanyabachope Catholic Grounds, in Kyarusozi Sub County under the theme “Water and Environment Resources for Enhanced Resilience and Improved Incomes and Livelihoods”

In attendance were the Resident District Commissioner, Mrs. Julian Sarah Ayesiga, Assistant RDC, Mr. Hamza Rwantale, District Chairperson, Mr. Rubaihayo Gilbert, Hon Atuhaire Grace, the District Vice Chairperson, and various other dignitaries.

The sanitation week was preceded by various activities that included promotion of handwashing, completion of sanitary facilities especially latrines by smooth finishing floors and walls; provision of squat hole covers, doors and cleansing materials; promotion of safely managed sanitary facilities to meet WHO standards of sanitation and hygiene; enforcing the Public Health Act CAP 281 on latrine defaulters, protection of the environment to safe guard water bodies, health seeking behaviors of illness and stop of self-medication among others.

The RDC Kyenjojo, Mrs Julian Sarah Ayesiga, in the company of the Assistant RDC, Mr. Hamza Rwantale.

The RDC, urged the community to protect water sources like swamps, so there is sufficient supply of water at all times, as failure to protect such, would be devastating to them. She urged them to avoid planting trees, cultivation in swamps, and only practice activities allowed in such areas, like fishing, so as to preserve these water sources. She also thanked the leaders for their efforts in maintaining cleanliness in their community, and advised everyone to always seek medical attention in the various health facilities at their disposal rather than self-medication, as exemplified in the skit by the VHTs.

 She further urged parents to be exemplary, and be role models to their children by practicing good hygiene and sanitation practices, that they will carry with them all their lives.

 The Chairperson LC5, Mr Gibert Rubaihayo gives his remarks at the Water Day.

The District Chairperson informed the gathering that the ministry of water in collaboration with Kyenjojo District is committed to extending safe water to all areas in the district. He thanked the school going children and VHTs for the wonderful skits, plays and songs that enlightened the community about hygiene in homes, and urged everyone present to put in practice what they desired to teach in the presentations.

According to Mr. James Akugizibwe, the Senior Health Inspector, Water, there is still a challenge of incomplete sanitary facilities in many homes, laziness, alcoholism, and polygamous families which make it difficult to provide the necessary basic needs for the children and underprivileged members of the family. He recommended continuous mobilization and sensitization on good sanitation and hygiene by all stakeholders, and emphasized need for enforcement to speed up completion of sanitary facilities under construction, and exemplary leadership especially at village levels for mind set change.

The Water Officer, Mr. Anthony Ainomugisha urged everyone to embrace the simple yet powerful water-saving habits: protect water catchment areas, report borehole breakdowns and leakages, avoid pollution, and practice rainwater harvesting where possible. He urged schools to educate children on the importance of water conservation, and households to adopt sustainable water use practices.

He further urged everyone to recommit to the vision of universal access to clean water. “Together, we can build a future where no one suffers due to a lack of safe water. Let us work hand in hand—government, partners, and communities—to ensure water security for all”, he remarked.

He informed the gathering that his office has rehabilitated 2 Boreholes in Rugwarra and Ngote villages, and plan to drill a borehole for Kyarusozi Seed School, in the Financial Year 2025/2026, among others.

As part of the celebrations, outstanding community members who demonstrated excellence in home sanitation were recognized and awarded certificates and blankets, and other essential sanitation items. 

Mr. Anthony Ainomugisha, stated that the awards were aimed at motivating others to follow suit. "We want every household to take sanitation seriously and ensure proper hygiene practices for their families," he said.

 World Water Day, held on 22 March every year since 1993, is an annual United Nations Observance focusing on the importance of fresh water. The core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: WATER AND SANITATION FOR ALL BY 2030.

Kyenjojo District Political Leaders at the World Water Day Celebrations in Kyarusozi

School children present a poem at the District World Water Day Celebrations.