Rubanda -Residents of Nyamiyaga Village in Igomanda Parish, Hamurwa Sub-county, Rubanda District are voicing growing frustration over the continued lack of access to clean and safe drinking water, accusing local leaders of years of neglect and unfulfilled promises.
For over a decade, women and children in the area have been forced to walk more than five kilometers daily in search of water, often relying on unsafe and contaminated sources.
The acute water shortage has left the community dependent on overcrowded boreholes and streams shared with animals, sparking concerns over public health and child welfare.“We have suffered for years fetching water from far and unsafe sources,” said Anna Kamusiime, a resident of Nyamiyaga. “The burden falls mostly on women and children, and it’s heartbreaking that nothing has been done.”
Another resident, Dafuroza Korugyendo, revealed that the lack of clean water has led to frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases, including typhoid and diarrhea. “People are drinking dirty water because they have no other choice. This is a serious health risk,” she added.
Max Mugisha described the situation as “inhuman,” noting that the only functional borehole in the area is overwhelmed by demand. “Women and children spend more than two hours collecting water, and what they get is often not safe,” he said.
The water crisis is also affecting education and sanitation in the community. Siriri Turyananuka noted that many children miss school to fetch water, and some go to bed without bathing due to the scarcity. “What hurts the most is that leaders who made promises have gone silent. We feel abandoned,” he said.
The issue has caught the attention of political leaders ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Rubanda East parliamentary aspirant Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema, while addressing residents at a campaign rally at Nyamiyaga Playground, strongly criticized the current leadership for ignoring the community’s basic needs.“It is unacceptable that people are still struggling to access clean water in this era,” Biryabarema said. “Clean water is not a luxury—it’s a basic human right.
If elected, I will prioritize safe water access for every household in Rubanda East.”As election season heats up, residents are demanding more than campaign rhetoric.
They say it’s time for real action and accountability.“We’ve had enough promises,” Kamusiime said. “What we need now is delivery.”
