Shs2bn water, fish processing project lies idle in Hoima, seven years later

In 2017 the  African Development Bank  funded the construction of a  water, and fish processing facility under the multi-National lakes Edward and Albert integrated fisheries and water resources management (LEAF 2) project  for a shs2  billion  but seven years later, the it is lying idle .

At Mpegu landing site in Hoima district  where the facility is located,  most of the equipment have been vandalised.

Robert Juliela ,the Mbegu local council two chairman says, shortly after its completion in 2017, the area was affected by the 2018 rising Albert water levels, even when water subsidized it was abandoned before taking off.

"You see the water project is not functioning, silver fish rack is damaged, and I can tell you since the fish processing plant was put in place, we have never even exported even one ton of fish. We agree waters rose, but when it went down no one came back to inspect, we have made calls until we gave up," he said.

Michael Kyakashari, the Hoima deputy resident commissioner, wonders how the local leadership and district officials, having been silent with such a facility going  to waste.

"For me I discovered it of recent when I had come to inspect the lake, but we have local council leaders who were aware and kept silent Our role as RDCs is to supervise projects and report for possible solutions. Shs2 billion  is a lot of money to just be left to go waste", Kyakashari said

He added that  most of the components including a control tower, solar panel and underground water pipes were vandalized .

He however says, they have started investigating why the road component was not worked on yet it was under the plan.

"Most of the components were vandalized, but I have now directed the district technical staff like fisheries officer, water officer to assess the extent of damage to see if we can find money to work on it, but also as office of the RDC we are going to investigate why this road was not worked on yet it was under the plan. iF we find that there was connivance and eating money the culprits will be held liable," Kyakashari warned

Dean Mukidi, the acting water officer for Hoima says, according to their assessment during the handover, people were not sensitized to own the project, noting that if they get money, they will repair the water system.

"The problem is the project was never embraced by the community. If the locals were brought on board and informed how the project was going to help them, they would not have vandalized it."