Kabarole Gains Clean Water and Solar Power Boost Under LEGS Project

By Kyeyune Ali

Kabarole District — Residents of Kabarole District have received a major boost in access to essential services following the commissioning of two key infrastructure projects under the Local Economic Growth Support (LEGS) Project.

The Honourable Minister of State for Local Government, Victoria Rusoke Businge, officially commissioned the Mugusu Piped Water Supply System and the Karangura Mini-Grid Solar Project, both aimed at improving livelihoods through enhanced access to clean water and reliable electricity.

The Mugusu Piped Water Supply System is already serving 28 villages, providing thousands of residents with safe and clean water. The project is expected to significantly reduce the burden of long-distance water collection, while improving sanitation, public health, and overall productivity in the area.

At the same time, the Karangura solar mini-grid is benefiting more than 1,500 people, with capacity to serve even more households as demand grows. The availability of electricity has already sparked the emergence of small businesses, signaling a shift towards increased economic activity within the community.

Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, Minister Rusoke urged residents to make productive use of the electricity by investing in income-generating ventures such as welding, carpentry, and other small enterprises. She emphasized that government programs like the Parish Development Model and the LEGS Project are designed to transition communities from subsistence living to participation in the money economy.

The Minister also revealed that Kabarole District is set to benefit from the second phase of the LEGS Project, calling on residents to actively identify and prioritize interventions that align with their economic needs.

Representing the Project Coordinator, Engineer Paul Mukasa Kasule, Dr. David Siriri encouraged the community to focus on using electricity for productive purposes that can raise household incomes. He noted that the government’s broader goal is to drive economic transformation through targeted infrastructure investments.

Dr. Siriri further highlighted that the project design took into account the district’s mountainous terrain, incorporating lightning protection systems to safeguard the solar installation and ensure a stable power supply.

The commissioning event was attended by ministry officials, district political and technical leaders, and members of the local community, who welcomed the successful completion of Phase One and expressed optimism for the expansion of the project in Phase Two to reach more neighboring areas.