Residents of Kizinga Kaina village, Buhimba Town Council in Kikuube District, are facing severe water scarcity, forcing families to bathe in shifts. Many are traveling almost 3 kilometers to collect stagnant, foul-smelling water from unreliable sources.
The deputy mayor of Buhimba Town Council, Muhumuza Mpanimanya, acknowledges that the water shortage has led to various social issues. Girls are vulnerable to exploitation while fetching water, and tensions have arisen within families, with husbands accusing wives of infidelity when they return late from collecting water.
Long treks for water have been a way of life for generations in Kizinga Kaina village. One resident, Evas Kabakurungi, who has lived there for fifty years, mentions that the problem has persisted across generations, with her children and grandchildren now experiencing the same difficulties. The stagnant water they collect is often of such poor quality that it affects the food they cook, and husbands sometimes refuse to eat due to the bad taste.
Another resident, Gerald Kaija, aged 65, shares a similar experience, explaining that bathing in such poor-quality water leaves them feeling unclean. He also highlights the risks faced by girls on their way to fetch water.
According to Mpanimanya, due to the scarcity, families have adopted a system where they bathe on alternating days. Husbands, wives, and children take turns throughout the week, a method necessitated by the long distances they must travel for water. Mpanimanya urges the government to provide modern water sources for the community.
In collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, the Itaza Development Foundation has secured funding for eight boreholes to be drilled in Buhimba. However, Buhaguzi East Member of Parliament, Stephen Asera, stresses that while this is a positive development, it is insufficient to meet the district’s needs. Despite the addition of these eight boreholes to the 49 existing ones, Asera emphasizes that 57 boreholes are inadequate given the population, and appeals for further assistance to address the crisis. He also notes that many residents suffer from illnesses caused by the contaminated water, underscoring the need for clean and safe water to reduce health issues in the community.