Leaders in Kitagwenda District are scrambling to resolve a severe water crisis in Greater Mahyoro sub-county. Upgrades to the vital Kikondo water source have stalled, prompting area MPs to step in. The stalemate is heavily affecting daily life and learning, sparking urgent calls for government intervention.
The crisis came to a head during a community meeting in Kyendangara involving residents and officials from the Mid-Western Umbrella for Water and Sanitation. According to the Umbrella’s general manager, Gilbert Byamugisha, improvement plans were halted after an area resident demanded a staggering Shs 500 million in compensation to allow work to proceed on the water source.
Residents from Kyendangara, Mahyoro, and Bukurungo reported that the lack of reliable water has severely disrupted households and local schools, forcing students and families to seek alternative, often unsafe, sources.
In response to the community’s outcry, local leaders have pledged to find a way forward.
Hon. Robert Mugabe Omutembuzi (Kitagwenda County MP): Committed to engaging directly with relevant government authorities and the Ministry of Water and Environment to break the deadlock.
Hon. Dorothy Nyakato Nzibonera (Woman MP): Pledged to actively lobby for consistent water and sanitation services across the Kitagwenda District to prevent further disruptions to community development.