VANNESSA A
Residents of Rwabutonya Cell, Kyaruyenje Parish, Buhunga Subcounty, Rukungiri District have decried the persistent water scarcity challenge in their area.
It is reported that this cell is located on a hilly place, and finding clean water has become a big problem as residents walk long distances to the only functional spring located in the valleys, several kilometers away from their households.
Speaking to our reporter, Dononzio Mugabe, Defence of Rwabutonya Cell, said water scarcity is their biggest challenge, adding that paying someone to fetch a jerrycan of water costs 1,000 shillings.
He further said that other services can wait, but they call upon their leaders to have this challenge addressed soon, because daily expenses on buying jerrycans of water slow their development.
Besigye Richard Kaganda, a resident of Rwabutonya as well, echoed the same concern, saying former leaders did not help them to get access to clean water. He added that the one spring which used to serve the area is no longer functional.
He further said they now struggle a lot to get clean water and are forced to use unclean water from dams, which is always muddy and risky to their health.
Nasteria Tukwasibwe, a resident of Rwabutonya and their secretary, also showed her frustration, saying they were promised clean water but years have passed without anything being done. She added that it would be of more benefit if they were provided at least with tanks or a tap in Omuritano Trading Centre.
She further said that the spring is in the valley, making it hard for people, especially the elderly, to collect water by themselves, forcing them to pay 1,000 shillings per jerrycan to get someone to help.
However, speaking to the Chairperson LC3 Buhunga Subcounty, he called for patience from the residents of Rwabutonya, saying that as leaders they are aware of the problem, including the top leadership, and are hoping that the problem will be addressed soon as the area Member of Parliament promised to provide them with more water pipes.
