62percent. Current rural water coverage is in line with the Millennium Development Goals. 2.4.12 Government has also made progress in increasing access to safe water in the urban areas. The construction of water works was completed in 17 towns including Yumbe, Soroti, Sironko, Kaberamaido, Iganga, Kigumba, Mityana, Mpigi, Nebbi, Pakwach, Apac, Ibanda, Natete, Rwerere, Kitwe, Rwentobo and Nyakagyeme. Piped water works were also completed in several Rural Growth Centres scattered all over the country. 2.4.13 Progress has been achieved in enhancing urban water coverage by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). The Kampala to Entebbe water mains have been merged to cover the fast growing hinterland of the two urban centres. A total of 10,969 new water connections have been installed in other parts of the country as well as 166 new sewer connections. Furthermore, 52.7km of new mains have been laid while 0.42km new sewer extensions have been installed. 2.4.14 Progress has also been made with regard to addressing youth unemployment and underemployment. The MGLSD created a programme for children and youth which is being piloted in 9 districts to build entrepreneurship skills and provide start up-funds for youth projects. The project is to be extended to cover about 40 districts. 2.4.15 The MGLSD continued facilitating the externalisation of labour services. Over 12,000 Ugandans got employment in Iraq, United Arab Emirates and Juba in Southern Sudan. The Ministry, through the Labour Market Information Project was also in the process of creating a Labour Market Information System. 2.4.16 A draft Policy on Youth Employment was also in the offing for consideration and approval by Cabinet. 3. CHALLENGES (a) 3.0 Challenges associated with the implementation of the APRM Programme of Action Principles, Codes and Standards