Kampala — A Shs 735m water supply system has been commissioned on Ssese Island in Kalangala district.

The Minister of State for Water Maria Mutagamba launched the project on 29 April and advised the residents to eradicate poverty.

"Poverty alleviation is a key government policy, which can be achieved through improved sanitation and hygiene at house hold level, focusing on hygienic maintenance measures," she said.

Ms Mutagamba also advised residents to stop contaminating the lake waters saying they might contract diseases like cholera, dysentery and typhoid.

"The accessibility to clean and safe water by Ugandans is now a human right and entrenched in the Constitution under Article 29," she said.

She said the government's long-term goal is to ensure that 100 percent access of safe water services is completed by 2010 for the urban population.

"At present, only 68 percent of the population in urban areas and 55 percent in rural areas have access to clean and safe water," she said.

An official from the directorate of water development, Mr Patrick Kahangire said government supports the project because it has no external donors.

Local MP Fred Badda encouraged the local authorities to ensure that the project is managed well.