Uganda Bore Hole Project

 Namunyumya Clean Water Project 

The Rotary Club of Trent Bridge with the Iganga Rotary Club in Uganda have a project to provide clean water for the parish of Namunyumya, situated 80 miles east of Kampala, the capital of Uganda.  The clean water would be provided through the drilling of 10 boreholes to be located in or near the 10 poorest primary schools in the area.  Presently, there is no access to clean water which leads to dysentery, cholera and intestinal worms. The primary school is the focal point of local village life and the provision of clean water freely accessed by the community changes village life for the better.

 The Namunyumya Connection 

Some 19 years ago a newly ordained Ugandan priest severely damaged his leg in a motorcycle accident.  The British trained surgeon in Kampala was not able to treat him adequately and arranged for him to come to Nottingham for an operation at the QMC.  Thus began a long relationship with this area.  Although the operation was eventually undertaken in Holland, Fr Vincent (or simply Vincent) has been returning to Syston in Leicester, Long Eaton and more recently, West Bridgford, throughout that time.  In recent years he has worked to provide water for the communities in his parish and has successfully completed four boreholes with donations from his British friends. Vincent would like twenty two boreholes but at the present rate of progress will not live to see this day.

Why 10 boreholes? 

Ten boreholes will make significant inroads into what is needed.  As a project it is manageable for local Rotary Clubs, the West Bridgford community and would qualify for matching grants (and tax relief).  The project would be a 'one-off' so there would be closure once it is completed.

 Why Namunyumya? 

An essential part of Rotary International projects is that there is a local community (and a local Rotary Club) to take ownership of the project.  Vincent has a track record (he has already installed 4 boreholes successfully).  Several people from Nottingham have visited Vincent in his Parish and seen the work he has done.  They have seen the completed boreholes and seen the effect it has on the village community. Vincent has strong connections with our area, he is a known entity and he has a well established need in his local community.  There is confidence that the money raised for this project with such strong links will be spent efficiently and in its entirety on the stated goal of 10 boreholes. 

Is it a Community Project? 

The parish of Namunyumya has an estimated population of around 160,000.  It covers an area about 65 km east to west and 45 km north to south.  There are some 45 outstations (communities/villages).  There are some 20,000 Catholics and the community also includes Anglicans, Pentecostals, Muslims and non-believers. The project is a community one because, in placing the borehole in (or close to) the village primary school all the community will have access to clean water. 

Why Rotary? 

Rotary International has, as a priority, the provision of clean water in the developing World.  Africa is a priority area and Uganda is recognised as a country desperately in need of help.  Indeed the British Governments Overseas Aid (through DFID) puts Uganda in 4^th place on its list of countries receiving aid and almost all the monies are spent on clean water projects.  Clearly Vincent cannot do this on his own (his weekly church collection totals