At least 4,000 children in Busoga region will have access to reliable, clean and safe water in the coming months following dfcu Bank’s announcement of a contribution of UGX 20 million (twenty million Uganda shillings) towards a Clean Water initiative by the Obwa Kyabazinga bwa Busoga.

The initiative seeks to invest in integrated and appropriate WASH solutions focusing on improving access to reliable, clean and safe water supply to promote total sanitation, hygienic environment, and healthy-productive children in public primary schools of Busoga.

dfcu Bank’s Head of Marketing, Jude Kansiime handed over the cheque to the Prime Minister of Obwa Kyabazinga bwa Busoga, Dr. Joseph Muvawala at his offices on Thursday 11th October 2018.

Speaking during the handover, Jude Kansiime, reiterated dfcu’s commitment towards positively impacting the lives of various communities in and around the bank’s business operations.

“Access to clean and safe water is a key driver for adequate sanitation and hygiene which not only enhances good health, early childhood development but also impacts learning performance and productivity. Instead of spending time fetching water, the pupils can focus more on their studies,” said Jude Kansiime.

dfcu’s Corporate Social Responsibility program is hinged on number of pillars which include; Child and Maternal Health, Environmental Management, Community Development and Emergency Intervention. Under these pillars, dfcu Bank supports a number of initiatives with the belief that the wellbeing of the individuals and communities which benefit from them will experience tangible transformation.

According to the Minister for Water and Environment, in Obwa Kyabazinga bwa Busoga Dr. Najib Bateganya Lukooya, while some schools currently have access to an onsite water source or piped water supply, they are still faced with challenges of intermittent supply; high risks of cross-contamination due to poor sanitation and hygiene or use of unsafe water sources, and lack and/or inadequate capacity for rainwater harvesting/safe storage facilities for drinking water.

“dfcu Bank’s contribution will go towards phase I of the project which is focusing on facilitating rain water harvesting and storage during the rainy season for use in the dry season. Our target is to serve 110 public primary schools which is equivalent to over 70,000 children as direct beneficiaries,” he added.

Busoga has a water stressed belt, which easily dries up during dry seasons and people along this belt have limited access to clean and safe water.