Heatwave and dry winds worsen Uganda’s water shortages

A prolonged dry spell, combined with a shortage of water supply equipment, has led to a growing water crisis in several parts of the country.

Many areas, including parts of Wakiso and Kampala city, are grappling with significant water shortages, leaving residents to rely on expensive, often unsafe water sources for the last one month.

The current heatwave and dry spell are a result of a cyclone that developed in the Indian Ocean around southern Africa and has drawn moisture from eastern Africa, delaying the onset of the first rains by two weeks now.

The situation has been worsened by the relatively calm winds over Uganda, that are not blowing away fast enough and the dry hot winds coming in from the Kalahari and the Sahara deserts, according to weather experts.

Residents of Wakiso and Kampala are now trekking long distances in search of water. Others are seen queuing up at the few available water points, especially for those who have underground wells and those that have tanks that are refilled with water trucks.

In several villages within Nabweru division, water supply has been intermittent since last year.

The shortage comes during the dry season when the need for water, both for hydration and domestic use, is at its peak.

“With this dry season, a jerrycan of water now costs up to sh1,000 from those who fill their tanks with water trucks or have dug underground wells,” said Vincent Sempebwa, a resident of Kirinyabigo, a city suburb.

Janet Namatovu, a resident of the city suburb of Kinawataka, explained that they have been relying on jerrycans and searching for places to buy water, especially from those who have larger water tanks. She noted that the prices have been steadily increasing and that many tanks are running dry.

In Mbale city and surrounding districts like Sironko, Manafwa and Bukedea, the severe dry spell has caused water levels in vital rivers to reduce.

Bunyoro region, as well as districts situated along Uganda’s cattle corridor, are also facing severe water shortages, with cattle keepers trekking long distances with their animals in search of water and grass.

These districts include Nakasongola, Kiboga, Kyankwanzi, Luwero, Nakaseke, Hoima and Buliisa.

In many of these districts, the water shortage has forced residents to share water points with animals, which health experts said is a recipe for water-borne diseases. Locals are now buying water at as high as sh1,000 for a 20-litre jerrycan.

Residents of Mbale said they currently buy a 20-liter jerrycan of water at sh1,000.

Those who cannot afford to part with sh1,000 have been forced to bathe in shifts, and children were seen trekking up to 3km to fetch water from streams and swamps.

The most affected areas in Mbale city include Namatala, Nakaloke town council, Nauyo, Namakwekwe, Doko, Kiteso, Nkoma, Maluku, Amberstore, Indian quarters and Namabasa.

Institutions affected

Several institutions, including schools, hospitals, police stations and prisons, as well as businesses like restaurants and guesthouses, are also grappling with the water crisis.

Women and children can be seen queuing at various points outside Mbale city to collect water, while others travel to neighbouring districts such as Tororo, Butaleja, Kapchorwa, and Bukedea to access water from swamps and falls, particularly in Kapchorwa.

Badru Wandwasi, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Mbale area general manager, said the corporation is currently pumping only 185,000 cubic litres out of the required 250,000 litres of water daily.

NWSC operates two treatment plants in Mbale, drawing water from Nabijjo, Manafwa, and Nabuyonga rivers. However, Wandwasi said both Nabijjo and Nabuyonga rivers have dried up, and that the water level in the Manafwa River has significantly dropped.

The Mbale water station serves the city, Nakaloke town council, and parts of Sironko, Manafwa, Bukedea, Pallisa, and Butaleja districts, serving at least 140,000 clients. Some areas receive water supply only between 5:00am and 9:00am, while others have been without water for weeks.

An official at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital confirmed that the water shortage is having a significant impact on the hospital’s operations.

“We spend up to sh200,000 each day to fuel fire brigade trucks that deliver water to the hospital,” said the official, who preferred anonymity. Whereas a water truck delivers water to the hospital twice daily, it is insufficient to meet the facility’s needs.

Social challenges

Hartuna Kawiso, a resident of Mbale, said the water crisis has come with social challenges, including sexual exploitation of young girls while fetching water and the strain it places on relationships.

“Many girls have been taken advantage of by men along the way, and husbands accuse their wives of infidelity when they return late from fetching water,” Kawiso said.

She explained that walking long distances for water has been a constant whenever the dry season approaches.

“I have lived here all my life, walking long distances to fetch water. My children did the same, and now my grandchildren do it too.”

She added: “The water is stagnant and has a foul smell, but we have no choice. When we cook with it, sometimes the food changes colour and our husbands refuse to eat. The only relief we get is during the rainy season when we can harvest rainwater.”

Another resident, Prima Nafuna, shared a similar experience, highlighting how families have endured bathing with poor-quality water. “Our children walk long distances to fetch water, and when we bathe, the smell makes us feel like we haven’t bathed at all.”

To cope with the scarcity, many families now bathe in shifts, Cindy Mpumwire, another resident, said.

Heat explained

While temperatures are usually high during the dry season, George William Omonyi, the principal meteorologist at the ministry of water and environment, has said there has been a big increase in temperature in February.

He said that while Kampala is hot, the districts of Kasese, Pakwach, Adjumani and Yumbe are among the hottest places.

He added that Gulu and Kitgum have been hot, but not as high as places in the Rift Valley.

“The weather is very hot and dry, and it is unbearable. This is the peak of the dry season and the high temperature is expected to persist until the first or the second week of March,” Omonyi said.

Omonyi pointed out that the average temperature for Kampala is 26 degrees centigrade, but that it has shot up to 30 degrees Centigrade in recent weeks.

“The jump for four places is very high when it comes to temperature,” Omonyi said.

Coping mechanism

Omonyi said the adverse impacts of the hot weather affect the most vulnerable, such as children, the elderly and people with underlying health concerns.

He advised Ugandans to keep indoors and open doors, as well as windows, to allow heat to escape. “There should be frequent hydration (drinking of water) and eating of fruits, such as watermelon,” he advised.

The population in urban areas should avoid building walls around their premises since walls absorb heat, according to Omonyi.

NWSC speaks out

Sam Apedel, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) public and corporate affairs manager, said during the dry season, the demand for water increases while the sources of water begin to run dry.

Apedel said the new Namatala water treatment plant in Mbale will serve the district and the surrounding districts. The plant, with an expected capacity of 18 million litres, will be complete by January 2026. It will increase water production, storage, transmission and treatment of waste water.

He cautioned that it is essential to manage water catchment areas in order to protect vital water sources. Apedel noted that part of challenge of water shortage in Kampala and Wakiso has been addressed by installing two new booster pumps at the Ggaba water treatment plant and repairing the water booster station in Kagoma, Nabweru division.

Despite Uganda’s abundant natural water resources, including Lake Victoria, about 38% of Uganda’s population lacks access to clean drinking water. National water coverage is about 62%, with rural areas having about 64%, while urban areas lag at 55%, according to the water ministry.