Kabale municipality and its surrounding areas are currently grappling with a severe water crisis, now in its seventh consecutive day, prompting widespread concern among residents. With taps running dry, the cost of a 20-litre jerrycan of water has skyrocketed, ranging between sh1,500 to sh2,000.
The affected regions, including the municipality itself and the sub-counties of Kyanamira and Kitumba in Kabale district, as well as Bubare sub-county in Rubanda district, heavily rely on water supplied by the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, sourced from Lake Bunyonyi located approximately 8.9 kilometers away from Kabale town.
Residents have been enduring this crisis for the past week, facing significant challenges in accessing water for drinking, cooking, and maintaining hygiene in their households. The situation has forced many to incur additional expenses to purchase water, placing a strain on their finances.
Waswa Bukhari, a hotelier in Kabale town, revealed the financial burden he faces, spending shillings 5,000 daily to procure water necessary for his business operations. This expenditure directly eats into his profits, exacerbating the economic impact of the crisis.
Aggrey Matsiko, another resident, described resorting to fetching water from a nearby stream despite concerns over its cleanliness. He criticized the National Water and Sewerage Corporation for their perceived lack of communication regarding the ongoing crisis.
Sam Arineitwe, the Central Division LCIII Chairperson, highlighted the plight faced by residents with indoor flushing toilets, who are particularly vulnerable to clogging issues due to the water shortage. He questioned the absence of reservoir tanks in Kabale town to mitigate such crises by providing alternative water sources during supply disruptions.
In response, Patrick Otim, the manager of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation in Kabale Branch, attributed the crisis to the breakdown of high-yielding water pump mortars at the Bunyonyi intake, a consequence of intermittent power supply. Otim assured residents that efforts are underway to resolve the issue but called for patience during the process.
