NAMANYA K
The Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Rukungiri, Ahimbisibwe Wilberforce Ongom, on Thursday, declined to commission the newly constructed fecal sludge treatment facility in the Western Division of Rukungiri Municipality, citing unresolved defects.
The development followed the commissioning of three other facilities: a 13-stance waterborne toilet at Kebisoni Market and similar facilities at Nyamayenje and Rwamahwa Health Centre V.
These projects, along with the fecal sludge treatment facility, were implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment and contracted to Vidas Engineering Services. The Ministry officially handed over the commissioned facilities to the South Western Umbrella of Water and Sanitation for operational management, while Vidas Engineering Services remains responsible for maintenance during a one-year defect liability period.
However, during the planned commissioning of the fecal sludge treatment facility, officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment, Vidas Engineering Services, Rukungiri Municipality, and the district leadership identified several issues with the project. These defects prompted the Deputy RDC, supported by technical staff, to turn down the facility’s commissioning.
The project, valued at UGX 2.5 billion, was declared complete by representatives from the Ministry of Water and Environment, led by Engineer Moses Bijure, and the consulting firm SMEC, represented by Engineer Philip Moru.
Despite this, Rukungiri leadership highlighted gaps such as the lack of a buffer zone, system leakages, incomplete access roads, and the absence of physical testing for fecal waste processing. The leadership stated that these issues must be addressed before the facility’s handover, which is now scheduled for February 2025.
In response, Vidas Engineering Services refuted some of the recommendations, arguing that additional land required for the buffer zone was unavailable and citing significant extra work carried out at the site.
This decision underscores the commitment of Rukungiri’s leadership to ensuring the functionality and safety of public infrastructure before it is handed over for use.
