VANNESSA A
Residents of Kalangalo Ward, Western Division in Rukungiri Municipality, are decrying water scarcity in their area.
Kalangalo Ward, which is in Rukungiri Municipality, is made up of eight cells, but the residents have been suffering from water scarcity for quite some time. They believe that being part of the Municipality should have enabled them to access services such as water.
Boaz Nsiimenta, a resident and former councilor of Kalangalo Ward, said he tried during his tenure to lobby for water services in the area, but all his efforts were in vain. He explained that they share water with animals, which is not safe for their health.
He further mentioned how they have tried to reach out to Municipality leaders regarding this issue, but their concerns have not been addressed.
Speaking to our reporter, Justus Karimagezi, Chairperson LC1 Nyakyihanga Cell in Kalangalo Ward, said the leadership of the Municipality has not played its role in providing services to the people. He added that they have been suffering from water scarcity in the area for years.
He further explained how the few springs in their area are quite far from homes. As a result, residents are forced to use water sources shared with animals, which is not safe for their health.
Kennedy Bogere, Chairperson LC1 Kahororo Cell in Kalangalo Ward, said being in the Municipality has been of no help to them. He explained that they have suffered from water scarcity for a long time. He also pointed out that they not only face water scarcity but also lack electricity and have poor roads, despite being in the Municipality.
He further showed how the Municipality only collects taxes from them but does not provide services. He said that all the available springs need repair, and it is only the community members who pool money to repair the damaged springs.
However, speaking to Sylvia Twinomugisha, Chairperson Western Division, she said they are working to repair all the springs in the area since the government does not allow them to construct new ones. She promised that National Water Services would be provided to the area in the future.
She further confirmed that a booster tank is under construction in Kagogo to address the problem of water scarcity in the area.
