Kisoro residents fundraise for clean water

Kisoro residents have started a fundraising drive to raise sh600m needed for supply of clean water to the sub-counties of Muramba and Nyarusiza.

This will be done through protecting the existing Jinya spring so that it can serve more people. The spring is located in Gisozi parish, Muramba sub-county in Bufumbira South Constituency. 

The activities to be done on the spring include building a reservoir tank, installing taps, water treatment as well as transferring water to over 30,000 people in the two sub-counties. 

Water at Jinya spring had continuously reduced due to lack of maintenance and people had opted for construction of rain water tanks.   

The area MP Sam Bitangaro, who is championing the fundraising, said protecting the water spring will prevent a possible outbreak of water borne diseases that may result from locals sharing drinking water with animals.

"Construction of reservoir pipes and tanks will not only make water safe for drinking but also prevention of waterborne diseases," he stated. 

During the meeting with the residents of Muramba and Bitangaro that took place in Gisozi parish Bitangaro said that they will be constructed into four phases. 

Bitangaro noted that the move is aimed at curbing the water problem in the two sub-counties where citizens more especially women and children walk over 20km in search of water especially during the dry season.

"Water levels of the spring have continued to reduce and a long term solution is protecting it" he stated. 

Late last year, Bitangaro convened a fundraising dinner at Nommo Gallery in Kampala aimed at raising funds for the spring, and over sh60m was raised. Several individuals and companies contributed to the cause.

Bank of Uganda contributed sh15m whereas Attorney General William Byaruhanga contributed sh5m. 

At the fundraising the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Gender, Pius Bigirimana, contributed sh2m whereas Keith Muhakanizi also contributed sh2m. 

Bigirimana said government should establish means of pumping water from the existing water bodies in the district to the communities for home use.

"It's absurd that Kisoro is endowed with different water bodies like Lake Mutanda, Mulehe, and Kayumbu among others but many sub-counties in the district are hit by water shortage" said Bigirimana. 

Francis Nzabona the Muramba Sub County LC3 chairman applauded Bitangaro for his move to solve the water shortage problem. He expressed concern about the shortage of drugs in health centres and lack of electricity in most parts of the sub-county.