MICHAEL N
Residents of Rwibaare Cell in Omugyenyi Parish, Rubaare Sub-county, have been urged to use responsibly the little clean water now available to them, following years of severe water scarcity in the area.
For decades, the community has relied on contaminated swamp water, often walking long distances and sharing the source with animals. The lack of access to safe water has posed serious health risks and led to numerous challenges, especially for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and school-going children.
However, hope has recently emerged through the efforts of Manueli Kajuga, a dedicated resident of the area. Moved by the struggles of his fellow community members, Kajuga took it upon himself to construct a gravity-flow water system on his own land. He installed a roadside tap to allow free access to clean water for all residents.
Local leaders have hailed Kajuga’s selfless contribution, noting that for over 50 years, the community has never benefited from any government-supported water project such as boreholes or protected springs. They have continuously petitioned relevant authorities for assistance, but their pleas have largely gone unanswered.
Kajuga’s initiative has not only improved access to clean water but has also helped reduce the time and energy residents spend in search of water daily. Despite this achievement, he still faces challenges maintaining the system and has appealed to government officials and development partners to support him with resources such as a water pump to ease the burden of upkeep.
Community leaders have now called on district authorities to collaborate with Kajuga to extend the water supply to a wider area or consider alternative sustainable water sources, including boreholes or piped water, to ensure the long-term well-being of residents.
The residents expressed gratitude for the ongoing support and appealed to political leaders to prioritize service delivery over electoral campaigns and promises. They urged authorities to focus on meaningful infrastructure that directly impacts the daily lives of people in rural areas.
