By URN
Several villages in Kikuube District are facing a severe water crisis, forcing residents to share water sources with animals. The most affected villages include Mukabara, Kigabo, Kitakamya, Kakende, Kiswaza, Kamwokya, Rwoga, Kyehoro, Kaseeta, Nyairongo, Bukinda, and Butimba, located in the sub-counties of Buhimba, Kizirafumbi, Kabwoya, and Kyangwali.
According to residents, many water sources, particularly shallow wells and spring wells, have dried up, while others have been contaminated by livestock. The few available boreholes have also broken down and require urgent repairs. With no alternative sources of clean water, some residents have resorted to sharing water points with animals, worsening health and sanitation concerns in the affected areas.
For example, along the shores of lake Albert, residents are sharing water sources with animals putting them at a potential risk of contracting waterborne diseases. The residents use the contaminated water for drinking, bathing and other domestic needs.
Hope Mukandina, a resident of Mukabara village in Kizirafumbi sub county says, the area has only one borehole that serves about six villages. This she says, compels residents to line up for long hours.
Philbert Kugonza, a resident of Kamokya village in Kyangwali sub county explains that, they have no option but to draw water from the same source that they share with animals noting that residents are forced to trek more than six kilometers to fetch water from a nearby borehole in a neighboring sub-county.
Imelda Birungi also a resident of Kikuube says, they trek long distances to access safe drinking water adding that most people have developed stomach complications after drinking contaminated water.
Leoticia Akelllo, a resident of Kyehoro landing site in Kabwoya sub county reports that, that they have one borehole and if it breaks, they resort to fetching water from the lake which puts them at risk of contracting waterborne diseases.
John Ahaisibwe, a resident of Buhimba sub county says, their access to water is getting worse than better noting that people walk distances to access clean water.
Sadrack Muhumuza, the Kizirafumbi sub county LCIII Chairperson explains that, the entire sub-county is battling acute water shortage.
Hillary Agondeze, the Kikuube district water officer explains that currently, the water coverage level stands at 72 percent in the district. He faults the destruction of most water sources to lack of proper protection by water source committees.
Asaf Tuhumwire, the Kizirafumbi sub county LCV Councilor admits that, residents in his area are facing acute water shortage explaining that,most boreholes drilled to provide clean drinking water have dried up and that many attempts to drill boreholes in the area have been frustrated by the low water table.
Vincent Alpha Opio, the Kikuube LCV Vice Chairperson says that, plans are underway to drill more boreholes in the district. He however says, the district is financially constrained tasking residents to properly and jealously guard the few existing water sources.
