Residents of Kasese Municipality are raising alarm over a critical shortage of tap water, saying the crisis is worsening living conditions and improving social and health risks in the fast-growing town.
The problem, according to locals, has intensified as the existing water supply has failed to keep pace with the area’s rapidly increasing population. Many parts of the municipality now experience prolonged dry taps, forcing residents to trek long distances in search of water. During day time some places don’t have water and others get it at night, this forces women to queue for water at night.
Bwambale Edward, the LC1 chairperson of Umoja Village in Nyamwamba Division, said the scarcity has contributed to rising cases of domestic violence in homes when women are leaving their homes late in the night to go to public taps and wait for water. By the time they return, it is very late, and this has caused conflicts and violence in families.
He warned that the situation is also becoming a serious public health concern, as many residents are now resorting to unsafe water sources and they are likely to see an increase in water-borne diseases.
Local leaders and residents are now appealing to the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to urgently increase the volume of water allocated to Kasese Municipality and upgrade the existing infrastructure to match population growth. They also want the utility provider to extend water supply to unserved areas that still rely on unsafe sources.
While responding to these concerns, the manager NWSC – kasese branch Andrew Ahumuza, said NWSC is aware of the challenges and is committed to improving the situation. He said they are rationing the water to different areas of the municipality due to the dry span they are experiencing and their sources don’t have enough water to cover all the areas equally.
He urged residents to remain patient as NWSC has plans to increase the volume of water supplied per day from 4.6 million litres to six million litres per day and this intervention is aimed at stabilizing and expanding water supply across Kasese.
Residents await to see how NWSC implements its plans to avert the water crisis that is soon causing an unbearable situation in Kasese municipality.
By Maate Isaaq – Rwenzori tv
