Kabale — Residents of Nyanja Parish in Maziba Sub-county, Kabale District, have appealed to their area Member of Parliament, Wilfred Niwagaba, to urgently intervene in a severe water shortage that has persisted for nearly a decade, forcing families to spend heavily on basic water needs.
Locals told Daily Monitor that the community’s water system—originally built and maintained by the Diocese of Kigezi—stopped functioning years ago, leaving households without reliable access to clean water. Many are now reportedly paying up to Shs 2,000 per jerrycan to secure treated water from private vendors or distant supply points, a significant burden for predominantly rural families.
“This crisis has been with us for more than nine years,” said a resident of Nyanja Parish who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Children and women walk long distances, and we often cannot afford basic water for drinking and household use.”
The water shortage is mirrored in other parts of Kabale and southwestern Uganda, where deteriorating or non-functional rural water systems have left communities with limited or uncertain access to safe water. A recent government project was launched in the wider Ndorwa East area precisely to tackle long-standing shortages.
Government Project Promises Long-Term Relief
In November 2025, the government officially launched the Bugarama–Karweru Piped Water Supply and Sanitation System, a Shs 47 billion initiative aimed at delivering safe, reliable water to more than 43,000 people across 117 villages in nine parishes of Kabale and neighbouring Rubanda District.
Speaking at the launch, Niwagaba, the Ndorwa East MP and chief guest, said the new water system would finally put an end to decades of water stress in the area.
“This was a long-term request from my people, and with my lobbying skills, the project has been launched,” Niwagaba said. “We thank the Ministry of Water and Environment for the answered call and most importantly, your patience.”
He appealed to communities to support construction efforts and safeguard the infrastructure as work progresses.
Residents, however, said they need interim relief while awaiting the completion of the project, which will use both pumping and gravity-flow technologies drawing water from springs and Lake Bunyonyi to ensure year-round supply. Monitor
“We urge the MP and government to expedite the rollout so that our children and families can have clean water close to home,” said another Nyanja Parish resident.
Public Health Concerns and Economic Strain
Local leaders expressed concern that the prolonged water shortage poses health risks, as many households resort to unsafe sources during dry spells. They also noted the financial strain of continuously purchasing water.
Kabale District authorities have previously acknowledged that water scarcity hampers socio-economic development and urged for increased investment in safe water infrastructure. Monitor
Niwagaba, a multi-term legislator seeking re-election, continues to assure constituents that the Bugarama–Karweru system will be a permanent solution, closing a painful chapter in the area’s struggle for basic water security. Community members have called for regular updates on implementation timelines and interim support for those most affected by the ongoing shortages.
