Over the years, residents of Bukanga County and other parts of Isingiro district have suffered the problem of water scarcity.

The biggest percentage of the 64,0000 people in the district lack access to clean and safe water.

The majority of the population rely on dams for water for domestic use and for their animals. The water problem worsens during the dry spell when dams dry up.

Challenges

Residents spend hours in search of water and in the process, some women and their daughters get raped.

There had also been cases of children dropping out of school as they spend most of the time helping their parents to fetch water.

Felix Mugizi, a resident of Kabale parish, said during the dry season, a jerrycan of water costs between sh2,000 and sh3,000 and sh1,000 during the rainy season.

“Our children leave home at 7:00am to fetch water and return at 10:00am, missing school in the process,” Mugizi said.

Mathias Tushabeomwe, the chairperson of Rugaaga sub-county, said water scarcity has largely compromised sanitation and hygiene in many homes.

Obote’s attempt to address issue

Elders in the region say the first attempt to address the water problem in Isingiro was in 1961 by president Milton Obote.

However, Albert Tumwesigye said the plan was disrupted when Idi Amin ousted Obote during a military coup.

Mugizi said Obote had contracted Israelites to pump water from River Kagera to Lake Nakivale, then supply it to the region. “We support President Yoweri Museveni because we have hope that his government will give us reliable water,” he said.

Martin Yigga, the deputy chief administrative officer, called for a need to distribute water to the entire district, saying the district’s safe water coverage stands at 39%.

Meanwhile, following the outcry of the residents, the National Resistance Movement government, through the rural water and sanitation programme, has constructed the Nyamiyonga, Katojo water supply system.

The sh15b project was commissioned on Friday. during a function that was presided over by Isingiro Resident District Commissioner Herbert Muhangi and the permanent secretary in the water ministry, Alfred Okidi in Rugaaga town council, recently.

Okidi said the system was designed to cover the four sub-counties of Kashumba, Endinzi, Mbaare and Rugaaga, six parishes and 30 villages. He added that the system was designed to serve 30,708 people over 20 years.

The Nyamiyonga Katojo water supply system has been constructed using funding from the Government.

Eng. Joseph Eyatu, the director of water development in the water ministry, said they have carried out 400 community connections and more are underway. He said the Government is implementing another water project in Isingiro South.

Okidi assured Isingiro residents that the Government is committed to extending safe and clean water to every household.

He added that they are also committed to ensuring that every village has a decent sanitation facility.

Okidi also warned against hiking the prices of water for the end user, saying the recommended retail fee is sh50.

Sheema gets multi-billion projects

The Government launched a multi-billion water facility to ensure sustainable safe water supply and sanitation to residents of Sheema and Isingiro districts.

The project, which was constructed with funding from the African Development Bank and the Government, cost over sh13b.

Presiding over the commissioning recently, constitutional affairs minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu urged the people of Sheema to take advantage of the project to improve their livelihoods.

The Sheema district chairperson, David Kabigumira, said the project will solve the water problems which the district has faced for many years.

The project is benefiting Kyangyenyi sub-county, Kakindo and Shuuku town councils.

Others are Kashozi and Bugongi town councils and Rugarama sub-county, targeting to serve more than 166,266 residents by 2041.

The existing gravity scheme in Sheema was constructed in the 1990s. The system’s capacity had been stretched beyond limits with many dry zones. “This required alternative water sources to boost the supply and construction of new infrastructure in order to meet the demand,” Alfred Okidi, the permanent secretary in the water ministry, said.

He added that phase two of the project will start soon.

Okidi said through a loan from the UK, the ministry will also provide a solar-powered water supply system.

He said about 800 solar- powered systems will be set up countrywide.