VANESSA A
Residents of Kakyibaya A Cell in Southern Ward, Kebisoni Town Council, Rukungiri District have raised fresh concerns over continued water scarcity in their area, saying they are forced to consume unsafe water from rivers and ponds, which they share with animals.
Speaking to Boona FM, the LC1 Chairperson of Kakyibaya A Cell, Mr. Pausoni Kemakyi, expressed deep concern over the lack of clean and safe water sources. He said the community relies on river water that they share with animals, a situation that puts their health at risk of contracting waterborne diseases.
“We are sharing water with animals, which is not good for our health. People here are ready to contribute towards water supply projects, but we need clean and safe water to protect our lives,” Kemakyi said.
Milton Muriisa, a resident and former councilor of the area, echoed similar concerns. He said although a borehole water project had once been promised, its results have not materialized. Muriisa said they often find dead animals in the water sources they use, putting their lives in danger.
“The government told us about a borehole project, but we’ve never seen it function. We fetch water from the same river where we sometimes find dead animals like dogs. That is not safe,” he noted.
Everisto Musinguzi, another resident, said water scarcity is the most pressing issue in the community. He noted that the few ponds and rainwater harvesting options are not reliable, especially during the dry season.
“We are only left with ponds and rainwater collection, but during dry seasons, it becomes extremely difficult to get water. It’s even worse because we share these ponds with animals,” Musinguzi explained.
Patrick Besigye, a farmer in Kakyibaya A, highlighted how water scarcity is affecting agricultural productivity. He said farmers have to walk long distances to River Kahengye, where fetching just one jerrycan of water can cost up to 3,000 Ugandan shillings.
“Getting water is not only difficult, it is also expensive. We are forced to pay for water from Kahengye River, and sometimes we must rush to water points before animals contaminate them,” Besigye added.
Responding to the residents’ concerns, Mayor of Kebisoni Town Council, Alex Mugabe Nathan, revealed that they have already appealed to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to extend clean water services to the area. He appreciated the District Water Engineer, Mr. Deus Twekwase, for stepping in to repair some of the few remaining water springs.
“We wrote to NWSC and we are still waiting for their response. We appreciate Engineer Twekwase for helping to fix the few water points we have. As leaders, we are doing everything we can to make sure our people get clean water,” Mugabe said.
The residents are now calling on government authorities, NGOs, and well-wishers to intervene and provide a long-term solution to the water crisis that is threatening their health, farming activities, and general well-being.
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