By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
ISINGIRO:
Residents in Isingiro district have expressed concerns over continued water crisis that has hit their area.
The crisis is majorly attributed to vandalization of water pipes that extend from Mbarara main pumping point to Isingiro district.
Local authorities claim that the pipes are stolen by National Water and Sewage Cooperation plumbers. Locals have now resorted to using stagnant waters that best suits animals.
In Masha, one of the Subcounties that constitute Isingiro district, an area which is prone to hard-hiting dry spells, residents hadly access any waters and afew who access water have remained with the little for cooking.
In abid to mitigate water crisis, government has extended piped water in the area, but most water pumps have become ceremonial after the destruction of water pipes.
In Rwenshebashebe trading centre, spider webs have blocked most pipes as locals still question why they are still in place. The pinch has been felt in areas of Nyarubungo trading centre which houses over 2,000 residents that depend on piped water.
Sulaiman Musoke, the area LC1 chairperson says that water scarcity is a blow to implemantation of Standard Operating Proceedures of Covid19.
Unfortunately NWSC officials in the district seem unbothered about collecting water bills according to the chairman.
“Recently some men putting on NWSC uniform at Rwenshebashebe TC disconnecting some pipes from the water tank supply. We suspect the staff are the ones who come and uninstall some of these pipes” the chairman said.
On the issue of escalating water bills, Eng. Kateeba did not divulge into details adding that he has been explaining it on the local media.
The source of water in the area is now unprotected dums which locals have to share with animals.
Parrots UG has learned that the price for a jerrycan of water has increased from UShs100 to UShs 500 moreover from the dams.
As NWSC contemplates resolving the issue, experts fear that it might be too late to prevent the locals from exposing themselves to water borne diseases.
