Residents of Bujumbura division in Hoima municipality are at a risk of infection because of consuming contaminated water. Early this year, the government analytical laboratories conducted a study on water sources in Kiganda area neighboring the sewerage lagoons. Most water springs in Bujumbura area lie below the lagoon facility located on a hilly Kiganda village. Fecal material from the facility is always washed down into the water sources.
In a March 28th report addressed to Hoima Municipality, Sunny B. Mbabazi, the principal government analyst said samples taken from water sources in the division showed the water was unsafe for human consumption. Mbabazi recommended that the water sources in Bujumbura be condemned and advised residents to stick to piped water. However, despite the warning several residents continue using water from the condemned water points.
On Monday URN found residents queuing up at Bigajuka spring, one of the condemned water sources. John Asiimwe, one of the residents told URN that they are aware of the danger of using the unsafe water, but they have no option because there is no piped water in the area. He said despite the fact that they boil drinking water; it is hard to control children who take unboiled water. Asiimwe appeals to the municipality to extend piped water services to their area to save them from infection.
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Currently piped water mainly covers areas in the heart of Hoima town. National Water and Sewerage Corporation area officials declined to comment on the matter. Mary Mugasa, the Mayor Hoima Municipality admitted the water problem in a telephone interview with URN. Mugasa revealed plans by the municipal council to connect the affected villages to piped water through a World Bank funded project.
She encouraged residents to always boil their drinking water as the local government looks into the matter. Health experts say drinking unsafe water exposes residents to enteric diseases. Fredrick Byenume, the Hoima district Health inspector says enteric diseases are those with intestine complications such as Cholera, Dysentery and Typhoid.
