{UAH} Bulambuli residents share water sources with animals
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Bulambuli residents share water sources with animals
Residents draw water from one of the springs in Kabembe A Village in Bulegeni Town Council on Saturday. PHOTO BY MICHEAL WONIALA
Bulambuli- Residents of Bulegeni Town Council in Bulambuli District are sharing water sources with animals as they have no alternative to safe water.
Mr Festo Wamanye, the LC1 secretary of Kabembe A village, says because of this unhealthy arrangement, it has resulted in frequent outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid, among others.
"We have a few protected springs which are far away. This forces us to drink water from the contaminated streams," he says.
Mr Wamanye says in his village, there is only one unprotected spring, which is shared by residents from several neighbouring villages and animals.
Ms Jessica Nambafu, another resident says as women, they are the most affected because it is them who trek long distances in search of water from protected springs.
"We go through a lot of pain to fetch water for domestic use especially during the dry season when some of the streams dry up," she says.
Mr Robert Wanyoro, another resident, urges government to speed up the construction of Bulegeni Town Council gravity water scheme to extend safe and clean water to the residents to prevent the constant outbreak of waterborne diseases.
The construction of the gravity water scheme started in 2016 and currently, the work done stands at 80 per cent, according to district officials.
"It is not only residents affected by lack of access to safe water but government institutions such as the health centre and schools." Mr Wanyoro notes.
He adds that the hygiene and sanitation at Bulegeni Health Centre III is also wanting due to lack of water.
Mr Stephen Wakoli, another resident, says lack of safe water has been a big problem in upper – Bulambuli for so long but government has been slow to intervene.
Mr Johnson Wafuba, the town clerk of Bulegeni Town Council, acknowledges that there are few protected springs, which cannot serve the entire population in the area.
"We have a few springs and yet the population is big. I, therefore, think their concerns are genuine but the government is working to address the challenge," he says.
He explains that government through the Water ministry is soon finalising with the gravity water scheme and have it start running.
The leaders say although they have been facing challenges of access to safe and clean water, they are optimistic that the commissioning of the gravity water scheme will soon change the worrying water situation.
Mr Nathan Waluya, the Bulambuli District assistant engineer, says the area is one of the most affected as far as access to clean water is concerned in the district.
"During dry season, some of the water sources reduce drastically and as a result, people are forced to move longer distances," he says.
He explains that when the gravity scheme is commissioned; it will serve sub-counties of Muyembe, Namisuni, Kamu, Sisyi and Bulegeni Town Council, among others.
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