VANESSA A
Residents from Nyanga Parish in Rubaare Sub County, Ntungamo District, continue to express their dissatisfaction over the persistent water scarcity challenge in their area.
They confirmed to our reporter that they have been reporting the matter to their leaders but have never received any positive feedback regarding the concern.
Speaking to our reporter, Simeon Kakoona, a resident of Kakungu Cell and the chairperson for elders in Rubaare Sub County, acknowledged that this is their biggest challenge as they mostly depend on one borehole, which cannot serve the large population in the area. He added that the rest of the residents in other areas depend on water from dams and swamps, which is unsafe because animals drink from it and waragi makers contaminate it, making it unfit for home consumption.
He further called upon the government through their leaders to construct at least two or more springs in the area to end this challenge.
Laban Bekunda, the LC1 chairperson of Kakungu Cell, also confirmed to our reporter that they do not have safe and clean water in their area, forcing them to depend on unclean water from swamps, rivers, and dams, which exposes their lives to waterborne diseases like diarrhoea, typhoid, and others. He called for immediate action.
He, however, blamed the residents, saying they wanted to bring water from the source, but many refused to allow the pipes to pass through their lands. He termed this as selfishness since the project was meant to benefit the entire community. As a result, they now depend on springs, shallow wells, and other unsafe sources.
According to the LC3 chairperson of Rubaare Sub County, Coleb Tindimwebwa Rwekuta, residents indeed refused to allow the National Water and Sewerage Corporation to pass pipes through their lands, which delayed the extension of water services in their area. However, he said that as leaders, they are not seated but will engage the public to help them understand the importance of having clean water services in their community so that the issue can be addressed soon.
