Elderly Support Uganda (ESUGA) in partnership with the Anadolu Foundation, has officially commissioned two life-changing boreholes in Bulakabya Village, Busedde Subcounty, Jinja District. This vital initiative addresses the long-standing water crisis in the Busoga sub-region, where rural communities have struggled for decades to access safe water.
For the elderly members of Bulakabya, these boreholes represent more than just infrastructure, but they represent dignity. Mr. Abubakar Mayanja Shemaran, Deputy Executive Director of ESUGA, emphasized that the project aims to bring water within close proximity to households.
“By ensuring sustainable access to safe water, we are improving public health, preventing waterborne diseases, and reducing the daily physical hardships faced by the elderly and vulnerable groups,” Mr. Mayanja stated.
Prior to this intervention, residents relied on contaminated open wells and surface streams. Dr. Idd Menya, Director of the Anadolu Foundation, noted that the new boreholes will significantly reduce health risks while easing the burden on women and children who previously trekked long distances for water.
The village leadership highlighted the profound social impact of the project. Ms. Babisoona Ruth, Secretary for Women Affairs, shared a harrowing reality: women and girls previously had to walk through isolated sugarcane plantations to find water, exposing them to risks of physical violence and sexual assault.
“These boreholes will significantly reduce these vulnerabilities for our girls and women,” Ms. Ruth said. “We sincerely thank ESUGA and Anadolu Foundation for this project.”
The LC1 Chairperson, Charles Babalanda, welcomed the project, recalling how the lack of water had previously undermined the basic hygiene and wellbeing of the entire village.
Looking ahead, ESUGA envisions this as the beginning of a broader movement. Mr. Mayanja called upon the government of Uganda, international donors, and well-wishers to form strategic partnerships to scale these interventions.
“With your support, we can ensure that every elderly person and their community in Uganda has equitable access to clean, safe, and reliable water. Together, we are building resilient communities. Support ESUGA’s mission to reach more underserved villages across the Busoga region and beyond,” Mayanja stressed.
