RELIEF: Opportunity Bank Uganda Supports Nakivaale Refugee Camp With Clean Water

By Our Reporter
ISINGIRO, UGANDA |SHIFT MEDIA| For years as they sought shelter in Nakivaale refugee resettlement camp, the challenge of accessing clean water remained high on the agenda for scores of refugees.

The wait seemed long, nervous and cumbersome, but on Thursday February 24 the excitement and joy ended the long pain of waiting for clean water.

Thanks to the efforts of Opportunity Bank Uganda Limited and scores of other partners.

With funds raised from this year’s annual chairman’s marathon run, opportunity Bank has been able to provide clean water for over 150,000 people in Nakivaale majority, refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Nakivaale Refugee Settlement Camp based in Isingiro district has been in existence since the 1960s.

Thousands of refugees from over 13 countries gathered at Rubondo to witness the handover of the solar powered water pump.

A Congolese refugee lady waits eagerly for her turn to get fresh clean water at Rubondo Base camp in Nakivaale refugee resettlement camp.
PHOTO/LYDIA OMECH-

The ceremony characterised the climax of the weeklong Annual Chairman’s Run organised by Opportunity Bank Uganda.
Addressing hundreds of excited refugees, the Opportunity Bank Uganda Board Chairperson Mr. Philip Karugaba said this year’s annual run was geared towards addressing the water crisis at the Nakivaale Refugee Settlement Camp.
” This project will ensure that the people in the camp get clean and fresh water. This collection from this year’s annual marathon run enabled this,” said Karugaba.

Nakivaale Refugee camp
Un identified refugee boy readies to get water from the newly commissioned solar powered borehole

Agnes Mukandekezi the Opportunity Bank Uganda Nakivaale Branch Manager said the issue of water crisis had been a huge challenge in the camp. “When people in the camp have no access to clean water issues of diseases arise, with support with our partners we are able to put a smile in the faces of hundreds of refugees,” said Mukandekezi.
she said the project cost the bank over shs60 million.
She said the solar powered borehole will reduce on the queues for water that has been a normal scenario in the camp.

David Mugenyi
David Mugenyi the Nakivaale Refugee Camp settlement commandant

David Mugenyi the Nakivaale Refugee Settlement Camp Commandant said the issue of water crisis has for long been experienced in Nakivaale.

Chairman Opportunity Bank Uganda Philip Karugaba (Left) commissions the new solar powered borehole in Rubondo base camp

“This is a great relief to the over 150,000 refugees residing in Rubondo base camp. The Office of the Prime Minister is grateful for this initiative,” he said.
Nakivaale Refugee Settlement Camp is home to over 400,000 refugees from over 13 nations.

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