Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdul Muttalib signed a joint technical cooperation programme contract with Ugandan Minster of Water and Environment Ephraim Kamuntu during the former's visit to Uganda on Monday, according to a statement by the Egyptian water ministry. During his visit, the Egyptian minister attended the opening ceremony of the first 10 water wells in the 4 districts of Wakiso, Luweero, Mukono and Bukwa. According to the statement, the programme plans to drill a total of 75 water wells in 23 districts, which will provide water to 3,500 Ugandan families. Abdul Muttalib noted that the joint cooperation programme with Uganda includes social subsidies to provide fresh water through the establishment of ground water wells. He announced that the aim of the programme is to provide safe drinking water for 200,000 Ugandan citizens, particularly villages that are deprived from water supply services. Abdul Muttalib explained that the drilling of the wells is one of four projects that will be financed by the Egyptian grant, which is estimated to total $4.5m and will also finance joint projects between the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in Egypt and the Ministry of Water and Environment in Uganda. The joint programme projects include: construction equipment for tank valleys, rainwater harvesting dams, specialised training for Ugandan technicians and drilling ground water wells with water pumping equipments. Abdul Muttalib added that the Egyptian government will continue to provide Uganda with aid to strengthen Egyptian-Ugandan relations.
