Minister Jim Muhwezi, Ministry of Water and CHEC Conduct Feasibility Study for Major Water Project in Rukungiri
Rukungiri: A team from the Ministry of Water and Environment, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), and the Minister for Security Retired Major General Hon. Jim Muhwezi Katugugu has conducted a feasibility study in Rukungiri District, focusing on Sub-counties that are set to benefit from a major water supply project.
The study was carried out on May 29, in the Sub-counties of Bwambara, Bugangari, Ruhinda and Bikurungu Town Council, where CHEC is expected to construct water sources and extend clean and safe water to all villages. The team visited several trading centers, villages, and water sources in areas such as Kashaya in Bugangari Sub-county and Kabale in Ruhinda Sub-county.
Eng. Moses Ruhinda from the Ministry of Water and Environment said their visit was aimed at inspecting potential water sources and distribution areas to inform the project designs. He noted that by the end of 2026, residents in the targeted Sub-counties should have access to clean water in their homes.
However, Ruhinda expressed concern over environmental degradation, saying the team found several water sources such as wetlands and rivers encroached upon by locals. He urged the public to protect natural resources for sustainable access to clean water in the future.
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The political assistant to Minister for Security Retired Major General Jim Muhwezi and area MP for Rujumbura Constituency, Isaac Kaharuza, said the area faces three major challenges, lack of clean water, electricity, and poor roads. He assured residents that all these issues are being addressed through the efforts of Minister Jim Muhwezi.
He also noted that the Ministry of Energy will soon work on extending electricity to villages where poles were installed but left without wiring. Kaharuza revealed that a team from Kuwait has already confirmed funding for the electricity project.
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Rukungiri District Water Officer, Deus Twekwase, confirmed that the CHEC team visited in line with a 2011 presidential pledge to bring clean water to communities in Bwambara, Bugangari, and neighboring areas. He said cabinet recently approved the initiative.
According to Twekwase, Bwambara and Bugangari Sub-counties still lag in clean water access. The water sources will be tapped from Nyakyera River in Kabale Cell, Kicwamba Parish, Ruhinda Sub-county, and Kancucu in Kashaya Parish, Bugangari Sub-county. He said the district currently has a water coverage of 84%, and the project is expected to increase it to over 90%.
The LC3 Chairperson for Ruhinda Sub-county Hellen Kabajungu, confirmed that all villages in the selected Sub-counties were considered in the project plan.
Local leaders and residents expressed their gratitude. LC1 Chairperson of Nyakariro Cell Emmanuel Tumukurate, and resident Silvia Ayebare said the water will be used for both domestic purposes and irrigation, saving them from walking long distances in search of water.
Christopher Turyarugayo, a resident of Bwambara, noted that in areas like Kikarara near Queen Elizabeth National Park, people have been sharing water with animals. He thanked Minister Jim Muhwezi for lobbying for water, electricity, road rehabilitation, and other community support services.
