Over 60,000 Kamwenge Households to Receive Water Filters in Health Boost Initiative
The initiative, spearheaded by Spouts of Water, Africa’s largest manufacturer of ceramic water filters, seeks to address pressing health concerns, particularly for women and children, while promoting sustainable environmental practices.
Over 60,000 households in Kamwenge District are set to receive free water filters in a major health initiative aimed at reducing waterborne diseases.
The initiative, spearheaded by Spouts of Water, Africa’s largest manufacturer of ceramic water filters, seeks to address pressing health concerns, particularly for women and children, while promoting sustainable environmental practices.
Denis Bull Olinga, strategic programmes manager at Spouts of Water, made the announcement during a gathering at Club Afreka in Kamwenge town on Wednesday.
He emphasized the non-partisan nature of the project, which has already shown success in neighbouring Kyegyegwa District and is now expanding to Kamwenge and other districts within the Tooro Kingdom.
“This project will help reduce waterborne diseases, which are a significant health challenge. We have seen success in Kyegyegwa and now aim to extend that success to Kamwenge and beyond,” Olinga said.
The project’s expansion follows a request by King Oyo of Tooro, who has long championed public health in the region.
His vision for improving public health and environmental sustainability has driven the initiative’s growth across the kingdom.
Joseph Karungi, chairperson of Kamwenge District, played a crucial role in facilitating the partnership with Spouts of Water.
He stressed the importance of cooperation among political leaders and technical staff to ensure the project's success.
“While we have made significant efforts to extend water services, access to safe and clean drinking water remains a critical priority. This initiative is vital for improving public health and quality of life in our communities,” Karungi said.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) for Kamwenge, Mutegeki Benjamin, highlighted the potential long-term benefits of the project.
“This initiative will significantly reduce government expenditure on medicines related to diseases caused by poor sanitation and hygiene. It also has the potential to protect our environment,” Mutegeki said.
The filters, which are easy to use and maintain, are designed to reduce the prevalence of waterborne illnesses like diarrhoea and typhoid, which disproportionately affect rural households.
The initiative places particular focus on vulnerable groups such as women and children, aligning with global health and development goals to improve sanitation and reduce disease transmission.
Olinga reiterated that Spouts of Water is committed to ensuring the success of the initiative through community engagement and education.
“We want to empower households to take ownership of their health and environment. This is not just about distributing filters; it’s about creating a culture of safe water consumption,” he explained.
As the project gets underway, leaders in Kamwenge District are calling for broader support from all stakeholders.
“This is a golden opportunity for our community. Let us embrace it fully to transform lives and secure a healthier future for Kamwenge,” Mutegeki urged.
With over 60,000 households set to benefit from the free water filters, the initiative holds the potential to dramatically improve health outcomes in the district and contribute to the broader goal of improving water quality across the Tooro Kingdom.
