Residents of Kinyamawa Reject Government Water Project, Demand Focus on Other Services
Rukungiri: Residents of Kinyamawa Parish in Nyakagyeme Sub-county, Rukungiri District, have rejected the proposed extension of water services by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) to their community.
This was revealed during a meeting held on May 1, between a group of angry residents and the Rukungiri District Water Officer, Deus Twekwase. The residents expressed strong opposition to the government’s plan, accusing it of trying to take over their existing gravity water flow scheme and introducing metered water services that would require them to start paying for water.
The residents, from villages including Muraro, Kinyamawa, Nyakagyeme, and Bishasha, stated that they are satisfied with their current gravity water scheme, which they access for free. They claim the system, constructed over 20 years ago by the North Kigezi Diocese, includes a water tank and 11 taps that serve their communities effectively.
Local leaders and residents, including Gerald Byamukama, Moses Benywanira, Ronald Nasasira, Samson Taremwa, Yoweri Nkwasibwe, Ruth Tumuhimbise, Amos Kamuhangire, area councilor Anthanius Atuheire, and gravity water chairperson Ndebe Augustine, all voiced their discontent with the government’s plan. They questioned why the government would bring a paid service when they already have a reliable and free water source.
They further argued that many other areas in Rukungiri District lack clean water and would benefit more from such government interventions. They suggested the government should instead prioritize critical services such as health facilities, improved roads, schools, electricity, and other infrastructure needs in their community.
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Other residents, including James Amanya, Rovence Korugyegye, Daniel Mugume commonly known as Kabundisa, Frank Ruryabite, Stanley Kacwante, James Byabazira, Johnson Muramuzi, and Frank Nemba, asked the district water officer to convey their message to the central government and the president. They also questioned the timing of the project, saying government interventions often appear only during election periods and disappear afterward.
They warned that if forced to pay for water, many poor families would abandon the service and resort to fetching water from rivers and dams, which poses health risks.
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In response, District Water Officer Deus Twekwase clarified that the gravity water system was not directly built by the North Kigezi Diocese but rather by the Government of Uganda, which had contracted the diocese to implement the project.
He explained that the NWSC and the Umbrella of Water and Sanitation were created to ensure uniform water access and quality maintenance across all communities in Uganda. He added that while a small fee would be introduced, it would help improve water service delivery and sustainability.
The residents are now calling on the office of the Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC) to intervene and forward their concerns to the president.
CUE IN…..TWEKWASE//RR