VANESSA A
Residents of Kyafora Parish in Rugarama North Subcounty, Ntungamo District, are grappling with a persistent water crisis that has forced them to rely on contaminated water sources shared with animals, especially during the dry season.
Kyafora Parish, which comprises the cells of Kangarame, Kyibirizi, Nyabikyenkye, and Obushenyi, lacks access to clean and safe water. Locals have turned to using muddy water from dams and other open sources, posing serious health risks to the community.
In Kyibirizi cell, residents collect water from a single shared source that often becomes overwhelmed due to the growing population. During the dry season, the situation worsens as animals arrive earlier, contaminating the water before people can access it.
Nyabikyenkye cell faces a similar situation, with no functional boreholes, springs, or shallow wells. Residents depend entirely on rainwater, which is unreliable and insufficient during prolonged dry spells. Despite promises from district authorities that National Water services will be extended to the area, no tangible progress has been made.
In Obushenyi cell, a previously functional shallow well has broken down, leaving residents with no choice but to fetch water from dams located on private land. Access to these dams is at the mercy of the landowners, further complicating the community’s access to water.
District leaders have acknowledged the situation, noting that the Kahengye Water Project—expected to become operational within the current financial year—will eventually benefit Kyafora Parish. Meanwhile, residents are calling on the government and development partners to urgently intervene and provide sustainable water solutions to prevent waterborne diseases and restore dignity in their daily lives.
