Residents of Kakiika Sub County in Mbarara district are protesting the suspension of the construction of community water tanks in their area due to alleged mismanagement of funds. Kakiika Sub County is prone to severe water shortages due to lack of reliable water sources in the area.
In the 2009/ 2010 financial year, Mbarara district local government approved the construction of 118 water tanks in Kakiika Sub County at shillings 73 million. However, the project was suspended indifinately after the officials in charge of the program mismanaged its funds. Nzabuloni Buntu, Kakiika sub county accountant was arrested and charged with embezzlement of the project funds on the orders of Wilberforce Yaguma, then Mbarara LC V chairman.
He is facing trial before the anti corruption court in Kampala. Michael Ayebare, a resident of Kakiika Sub County says that their efforts to access clean water from government have been sabotaged by corrupt local leaders. Ayebare says that getting water for both domestic and farm use is a nightmare for residents since there is no single clean water source in the area.
George Byamukama, LC II chairperson Kakika parish faults government for suspending the construction of the water tank because of one person who mismanaged the money for the community project. He however says that residents have not yet relented on their demand for clean water supply.
//Cue in………………we are really complaining that //
//Cue out…………………..people will demonstrate peacefully//
Dues Tumusiime Omuteganda , Mabarara LC V chairman has expressed sympathy with residents of Kakiika Sub County for failing to benefit from the 2009/2010 budgetary provision for the construction of water tanks due to mismanagement of funds.
//Cue in………………….definitely said I real feel sorry//
//Cue out…………………funds meant for that project//
Tumusiime is optimistic that the district council may in the next financial year set aside some more funds to cater for the water tanks construction in Kakiika Sub County.
But the new Mbarara district chief Administrative officer David Rubuka says this will be fulfilled after court delivers its ruling on the fate of the sub accountant who mismanaged the water tanks funds.
