VANESSA A
Residents and local leaders of Rubanga Parish in Buyanja Sub-county, Rukungiri District, are grappling with a severe water shortage, with some residents forced to walk long distances to access water.
Tumwebaze Boaz, a resident of Rubanga Parish, said that during the rainy seasons, they relied on boreholes, streams, and rivers in nearby valleys. However, these water sources have since dried up, leaving the community in dire need.
“We have been suffering for a long time without access to clean water. Cases of waterborne diseases are common here because we end up drinking dirty water, sometimes shared with animals,” Boaz said.
Phiona Beinomugisha, the area councillor for Rubanga Parish, described the situation as even more challenging during the school holidays. She noted that mothers spend long hours searching for water, affecting their ability to care for their families.
“There is a lot of congestion at the few available water points. A single water source serves over 300 people from more than ten villages, and it can take a person more than two hours to fetch water,” Beinomugisha explained.
She appealed to the relevant authorities to intervene urgently and prevent the outbreak of waterborne diseases such as typhoid and diarrhoea.
Agaba Emmy Rubondo, the LCIII Chairperson of Buyanja Sub-county, acknowledged the water crisis, expressing disappointment over the stalled Kahege Water Project.
“We had pinned our hopes on the Kahege Water Project, but it has not yielded results. Farmers have even started cutting water pipes during digging activities because they have lost trust in the project,” Rubondo said.
He urged residents to conduct regular community clean-up exercises (Burungi Bwaansi) at the few existing water points to ensure their functionality and cleanliness.
Responding to the concerns, Deus Twekwase, the Rukungiri District Water Engineer, noted that the Kahege Water Project has since stabilized. He urged residents to remain patient as the district works on their concerns.
“In the next financial year, the district plans to rehabilitate boreholes and springs within communities to supplement piped water services,” Twekwase said.
