Emmy Muchunguzi
Benon Byabasaija and Alfonse Mugambwa have become local heroes in the Birere subcounty of Isingiro District. Nearly everyone in the area knows them for their dedication to the community.
Byabasaija is the trusted expert for families and businesses needing hand-dug wells. With his skilled hands and dedication, he ensures communities have reliable access to underground water. Similarly, Mugambwa, who proudly identifies as “the supreme caretaker of all the spring water points” in the Kasana Parish of Birere sub-county, plays a crucial role in maintaining these water sources. Through his self-appointed responsibility, he ensures that everyone in his parish has access to clean and accessible water.
Together, Byabasaija and Mugambwa provide more than just water; they help their community live healthier lives, and everyone in the subcounty greatly appreciates their efforts. These two men’s initiatives have transformed lives in Isingiro, a district often affected by water scarcity.
In this photo series, photojournalist Emma Muchunguzi visited the Birere sub-county in Isingiro, southwestern Uganda. He photographed Benon Byabasaija and Alfonse Mugambwa as they worked to improve their community’s access to groundwater.
For 13 years, Byabasaija has worked as a “well-digger,” as he identifies himself.
He says he has been “providing reliable and affordable water sources to the community through hand-dug wells” for all these years. He estimates the wells he has dug for the last 13 years to be over 50.
Byabasaija explains that “a hand-dug well requires a one-time investment, providing access to a lifetime source of water for domestic and commercial purposes at a lower cost than tap water.”
He explains that most of the underground water wells he constructs are located near homes, which saves women from traveling long distances to fetch water from surface water sources such as shallow wells, rivers, and lakes.
(left)Byabasaija. (Right) Byabasaija climbing down to the bottom of the well, he is ready to find water
Down is far, but Byabashaija reaches there.
The men do not only lower Byabashaija down into the well but also a jerrycan and other plastic tins that he uses to bring up the dug soil, mad and finally water when he reaches.
They finally found water! Byabashaija and friends pour it into a jerrycan and bring it up to celebrate.
Once water is found, Byabashaija constructs the well to make sure it stores water found for years.
Just like Byabasaija, Mugambwa, acknowledges the many benefits of groundwater as a solution to water scarcity, particularly in rural areas where access to tap water is hard.
“Spring water is natural and contains pure minerals that are good for human health and animals. It provides an inexpensive alternative source of water in rural settings compared to tap water,” notes Mugambwa.
Mugambwa narrates that filling a 20-liter jerrican with spring water once took only one minute, allowing people to fetch water around the clock without the hassle of long lines or bills. Sadly, he laments that these spring water points are at risk of drying up due to unhealthy environmental practices.
He points out that some families are planting eucalyptus trees and encroaching on wetlands, which damages groundwater recharge points.
Mugambwa is concerned that, over time, people in this community might revert to suffering from water scarcity due to environmental degradation caused by human activities that destroy catchment areas for groundwater.
Groundwater catchments or recharge areas are points where water infiltrates the ground and replenishes aquifers.
A perfect example is a wetland. Wetlands naturally filter and store water, acting as significant catchment zones for groundwater. Others are water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and ponds, which allow water to seep into the surrounding soil, helping to recharge groundwater.
Groundwater catchments or recharge areas are points where water infiltrates the ground and replenishes aquifers.
A perfect example is a wetland. Wetlands naturally filter and store water, acting as significant catchment zones for groundwater. Others are water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and ponds, which allow water to seep into the surrounding soil, helping to recharge groundwater.
Wetlands filter and store water, acting as significant catchment zones for groundwater.
Isingiro district is located within the Kagera aquifer area of Kagera river basin, replenished mainly by rainfall, the Kagera River, and surrounding wetlands. According to the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), the aquifer feeds into the Kagera River and wetlands.
The annual recharge of the aquifer is estimated to be between 40 and 50 MCM. NBI’s modeling shows that the aquifer can sustainably provide up to 140,000 m³ per day, roughly 70% of the daily water needs for the population in the aquifer area by 2050.
For over half a century, Alfonse Mugambwa, has been taking care of all the spring water points in the Kasana Parish of Birere sub-county. In Isingiro district.
“As the caretaker of the spring water points in Kasana Parish, I take my role seriously,” Mugambwa.
He narrates that his daily tasks involve checking each water source to ensure they remain clean and free from contamination. He also makes repairs when needed and keeps the areas surrounding the springs safe from pollution.
Mugambwa also spends time educating his neighbors about the importance of protecting water sources and practicing good hygiene.
For half a century, Mugambwa has been caring for all the spring water points including those above in the Kasana Parish of Birere sub-county.
In Birere sub county, just like other places in Uganda, spring wells are a source of water that supports both human and ecological health.
They provide clean, accessible water for drinking, irrigation, and sanitation, enabling the maintaining of community well-being and agricultural productivity.
The steady flow of spring water can also help sustain local ecosystems, supporting diverse plant and animal life.
Additionally, spring wells often hold cultural significance, serving as communal gathering places and symbols of shared resources in Birere.
This photo story series was produced with support from NBI Secretariat (Nile-Sec), which, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), implemented a program across the Nile Basin focused on shared groundwater aquifers. The project’s goal was to improve water resource management at both the national and basin levels.
The first phase concentrated on building knowledge and capacity for the sustainable use and management of significant transboundary aquifers within the Nile Basin. Three aquifer areas were selected for intervention: the Kagera aquifer shared by Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi; the Mt Elgon aquifer shared by Uganda and Kenya; and the Gedaref-Adigrat aquifer shared by Sudan and Ethiopia. These aquifers are located in various climates, including arid, semi-arid, and tropical regions.
Initially, the phase involved gathering existing data and creating a Shared Aquifer Diagnostic Report (SADA) for the three selected aquifers. The subsequent phase engaged in groundwater modeling to enhance understanding of the aquifers and analyze scenarios based on changes in climate and groundwater use.
