KCCA commissions 80,000-litre rainwater harvester at Kitebi secondary school

Kampala – Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) on Tuesday commissioned a 80,000-litre harvester at Kitebi Secondary school in Lubaga Division.

This is part of the Greater Kampala Integrated Flood Resilience (GKIFR) Partnership project.

GKIFR Partnership project is in collaboration with KCCA, the Ministry of Water and Environment, Uganda Manufacturers Association, Britannia Allied Industries Ltd, and ACTogether Uganda, implemented with support from the Natural Resources Stewardship Program (NatuReS).

Their main aim is to promote the integration of nature-based solutions in urban infrastructure planning for enhanced flood resilience and sustainable socio-economic development.

NatuReS is a global GIZ program that aims to promote multi-stakeholder collective action for sustainable management of shared natural resources. The NatuReS Uganda program is funded by the European Union (EU), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and the UK Department for International Development.

Speaking at the event, the Head teacher of Kitebi Secondaryy School, Mohammad Kamulegeya, appreciated KCCA for the partnerships that are aimed at helping the schools and the community.

He extended a vote of thanks to KCCA executive director for her tireless work, and timely payment of staff salaries, and other government services. According to Kamulegeya, the project will lessen the financial expenditure now that the school has got plenty and free water for over 3,000 students at the school.

Whereas in her remarks, the executive director of KCCA Dorothy Kisaka emphasized the importance of rainwater harvesting in Kampala city’s flood resilience and stated that rainwater harvesting should be implemented at all large public buildings, such as schools, shopping malls, and markets.

Kisaka highlighted that flood resilience is one of the key opportunities for an inclusive, resilient, and well-planned city that provides economic opportunities for all.

Lennart Deridder, the Head of the Inclusive Green Economy Team at EU Uganda, explained that the program focuses on supporting and strengthening local public-private-civil society partnerships to jointly address common natural resources risks and threats for improved livelihoods and economic development.

The GKIFR Partnership project has also identified seven pilot sites, including Lubiri Secondary School, Kitebi Primary School, Nakawa Market, Usafi Market, Nateete Market, and Kampala city abattoir.

The event was also graced a representative from Ministry Education and Sports, Lubaga Division Resident City Commissioner, former Lubaga South legislator John Ken Lukyamuzi ,among others.