Reducing Uganda water accidents; local innovation of life saving jackets launched in Kasese
Environmentalists in Kasese have invented a new technology using empty plastic waste and second hand clothes to make life saving jackets used in preventing water accidents.
The new innovation tested at Kiwa Heritage Fish Pond will be rolled on to other lakes in the region with an aim of saving water users from water accidents.
According to the innovation team leader Walyuba Kule Sylvester, the locally made life saving jackets prevents the water user from drowning into the lake in case of an accident on the waters and asserts that it is cheap to afford compared to the imported jackets.
Walyuba says the spirit behind the new innovation is to reduce on water accidents in Uganda using cost effective local approaches.
At the launch was the Kasese district planner Alex Masereka who appreciated the new innovation and pledged the district support to the initiators.
The life jacket made out of plastic bottles and tailored clothes is the first of its kind in the whole region.
Walyuba also adds that the innovation is saving the environment against being polluted by plastic bottles as well as putting them into use.
Kasese district is endowed with natural resources with water boards in abundance and these include Lake George and Lake Edward with a good number of fishing sites and Villages/communities in Western Uganda.
Kiwa Heritage is a nature and cultural conservation centre, with hot springs for warm bathing. Other interesting at this nature and cultural conservation centre include; A river side beach next Nyamwamba river, a volley-ball pitch and a big fish pond at the site is another stress relieving feature where sport fishing is practiced as well as fish-fry and eat.
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