There was drama at Nabajuzi swamp in Masaka on Thursday when officials of National water and Sewerage Corporation and confronted workers of Reynolds Construction company for vandalizing water installations. Trouble started when workers of Reynolds Construction vandalized vital water pipes along Masaka –Bukoba Highway, Bwala hills and Kijabweemi trading center plunging Masaka town into a water crisis.
This didn’t go down well with workers of National Water Sewerage Corporation. As a result, the water officials led by Jackson Nimusiima, the Masaka National Water and Sewerage Corporation manager stormed Nabijuzi swamp. Nimusiima caused such a scene when he ordered all the road construction trucks to vacate the area saying they had destroyed their water pipes which have forced them to suspend their operations. Nimusiima also accused road construction workers of dumping debris in Nabajjuzi water swamp blocking the flow of water into the treatment plant.
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The water officials ordered the road workers to unblock River Nabajuzzi to allow for the smooth flow of water into the water treatment plant. However, the road workers looked on as Nimusiima went on ranting. Unidentified worker told off Nimusiima accusing him of meddling in their work. He said it was their responsibility to construct the road as agreed in the agreements they signed with the Government.
Amos Muliisa, spokesperson Reynolds Construction Company declined to respond on the standoff saying that he was not aware of the clashes in Masaka. The destruction of the water pipes has left more than 60000 people in Masaka without clean water. Residents of Nyendo who have been hit hard by the water crisis have threatened to demonstrate unless Reynolds clears up its mess. Musa Batte, a resident of Nyendo claims he has now spent three days without water. He explains that he is now depending on dirty water from Nakayiba swamp.
