Japan funds water and education projects in Uganda districts

The Embassy of Japan is providing a $200,000 grant to support community development in the Rakai and Kiryandongo districts of Uganda.

The funding comes through the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Projects, a scheme that has supported 298 projects across Uganda since 1992. Africa Community Technical Services Uganda will manage a water supply project in Rakai District. The organization will build a gravity flow system with 37 water points to provide clean water to 6,800 residents.

The project includes a sedimentation tank for treatment and a 50-cubic metre reservoir tank to distribute water to seven villages, five schools, and seven trading centers. Beyond construction, the organization plans to train community members in making products like soap and sandals to help residents generate income. In Kiryandongo District, the local government will use a portion of the grant to improve Kigumba Church of Uganda Primary School.

The project will build two classroom blocks and provide furniture for more than 2,000 pupils, including 176 refugees. Officials stated that the school currently faces a severe shortage of space, with an average of 153 pupils per classroom, which is nearly triple the national standard of 54 pupils. The Ambassador of Japan to Uganda, Sasayama Takuya, stated that the facilities belong to the local communities.

He said that the success of the projects depends on the local residents' commitment to manage and maintain the new infrastructure for future generations.