Samuel Amanya
Residents of Masya parish in Nyakagyeme sub-county, Rukungiri district, have been grappling with a severe water shortage for several months, compelling them to undertake long journeys in search of water.
This scarcity has significantly impacted their daily lives, as they struggle with insufficient water supply and are now compelled to share water sources with animals, posing a potential threat to their well-being.
To cope with the situation, residents have resorted to purchasing water from motorcycle taxi (boda boda) riders, incurring high costs ranging from sh. 500 to sh. 800. Christopher Kapiira, a former aspiring Member of Parliament for Rujumbura county and a resident of Munyeganyegye cell in Masya parish, acknowledged the district’s efforts in providing piped water but expressed concerns about its irregular availability. The intermittent supply forces residents to continue their arduous quest for water, often resorting to sharing water sources with animals.
Kapiira attributed the persistent water shortage to the government’s failure to complete the Kahengye water project, despite substantial investments. The residents had anticipated the project’s completion in the near future, but it has led to disappointment. He emphasized the urgency of finishing the Kahengye project promptly to ensure a reliable and sufficient water supply for families.
Gordet Bakehemura, another resident of the area, echoed these concerns, emphasizing the unreliability of the sporadic water supply, which has forced people to fetch water from dams and ponds shared with animals, exposing them to the risk of various diseases. Despite substantial investments to bring tapped water into their homes, many residents are frustrated by the inadequate water supply for domestic use.
Bakehemura urged district authorities to intervene and address the water crisis, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to ensure consistent and ample water supply across all areas. However, attempts to contact relevant authorities were unsuccessful, as their known phone numbers were unavailable.
