Job Namanya
Kabale Municipality, located in the beautiful Kigezi region of western Uganda, is known for its stunning landscapes and rich agriculture.
However, the area faces challenges due to climate change. Unpredictable rainfall, long dry periods, and water shortages are threatening the livelihoods of the people living there.
In this situation, groundwater has become essential for the residents of Kabale. The water comes from the Kagera Aquifer, which is shared by several countries including Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi.
The Kagera aquifer covers a large area of around 6,300 square kilometers.
In a region where agriculture dominates, reliable access to water is critical. Farmers like John Byamukama, who grows Irish potatoes and cabbages on the slopes of Kyanamira village, Kabale Municipality – Kabale district, have turned to groundwater to irrigate their fields.
“I used to rely entirely on rain, but the seasons have become unpredictable. Now, with a borehole nearby, I can water my crops even during dry spells,” says Byamukama.
His success mirrors that of many others who have adopted groundwater-fed irrigation systems, enabling consistent yields despite climate variability.
The municipality’s reliance on groundwater has expanded beyond agriculture. In peri-urban areas like Kekubo and Kigongi (all in Kabale municipality), boreholes and protected springs supply clean water to households that previously depended on seasonal rivers and streams. This has reduced the community’s vulnerability to prolonged droughts and fostered resilience among residents.
Hadard Rukundo, a farmer based in Kekubo village has both livestock and a tree nursery bed on his farmland. He has for the past 5 years embraced a protected spring.
Rukundo says that prior to adopting the groundwater, he would spend over 400,000 Uganda shillings (about USD 110) on water every month which reduced his profits.
“My initial income was mainly from the tree seedlings and watering them in the nursery beds was always a struggle. I realized I needed to address this. During the dry season, it was always challenging to have my trees watered. But now, I have access to water for irrigation all year through,” remarks Rukundo.
He explains that the tree species on his farmland are meant to help the community in fighting the negative effects of climate change and the fact that he can avail them all year through has helped in ensuring climate-smart agriculture in the area.
Andrew Mwebesa, an agricultural extension worker in the area notes that groundwater benefits the majority of farmers in Kabale municipality since most of them cannot afford water provided by the government owned water supplying company – the national water and sewage corporation.
“A vast number of our farmers practice subsistence agriculture and their income is limited so they cannot afford to use national water on their farms. With groundwater they can have water for both domestic and farm use,” Mwebesa says.
Improved Living Conditions and Health Outcomes Due to Groundwater
Alfred Ahimbisibwe, the Kabale Municipality Senior Environment Officer reveals that the area has 54 protected springs, six boreholes and four gravity flow schemes.
“Groundwater is more stable and less affected by surface temperature changes. It has become our primary buffer against climate-induced water shortages,” Ahimbisibwe elaborates.
At community level, access to clean groundwater has significantly improved public health. Before the introduction of boreholes, residents of downhill areas of Kabale municipality were prone to waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery, especially during the rainy season when the area floods.
Emmanuel Ndyanabo, a health worker at Kamukiira Health Centre Four notes a drastic reduction in these cases.
“The availability of clean groundwater has reduced contamination and improved hygiene, especially for children. Improved health outcomes mean families spend less on medical bills, enhancing their economic stability,” he explains.
Groundwater has become a game-changer in schools across Kabale. At Kigezi High School, a groundwater-fed tank ensures students access to clean drinking water and functional latrines. This has improved hygiene standards and reduced absenteeism, particularly among girls, who no longer miss school due to inadequate sanitation facilities.
“For us, water is life. The groundwater source has transformed our school environment and allowed us to focus on learning,” says Abraham Akampurira, the school head teacher.
Ivan Ahimbisibwe – an old boy of Kigezi high school recalls the good school days devoid of water related stress. “Water was never a problem at all. No student ever went out of school to fetch water – because the groundwater that supplied the school was always sufficient,” he notes, adding that for every learner, “this is the desired school environ.”
Grahams Tumwekwase – a tour and travel consultant in Kabale town observes that many tourism facilities including hotels have found utilization of groundwater the best available option and nolonger experience water shortage.
Groundwater not only provides immediate relief but also supports long-term climate adaptation. Local environmentalist Nicholas Mugisha highlights that groundwater systems are less vulnerable to climate disruptions than surface water sources.
“Groundwater allows Kabale to adapt to changing climate patterns. Investing in its sustainable use ensures we have a dependable resource even as temperatures rise and rains become less predictable,” Mugisha emphasizes.
This story 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.
