Brian Luwaga
09:32

Zirobwe Residents Decry Prohibitive Water Costs

27 Jun 2014, 12:29 6561 Views Luweero, Uganda Health Analysis

In short
The extension of piped water to Zirobwe was implemented by the ministry of water and environment through a grant of Ugx 2.7 billion from African Development Bank. Upon its completion, the project is now managed by Zirobwe Water Supply and Sanitation Scheme.

Residents and local leaders in Zirobwe town are protesting the high cost of water two months after the area was added to the national water grid.  They claim the current price is exorbitant and works against the objective of improving sanitation and access to clean and safe water in the area.

Zirobwe residents buy water at a price of Ugx 4000 for each unit of water. Each Unit has up to 800 liters (50-jerrycans) of water.

The extension of piped water to Zirobwe was implemented by the ministry of water and environment through a grant of Ugx 2.7 billion from African Development Bank. Upon its completion, the project is now managed by Zirobwe Water Supply and Sanitation Scheme.

But Umar Makoona, the Chairman of Zirobwe Central Zone explains that residents who had connected water to their homes were shocked to receive monthly bills as high as Ugx 50,000 per month. He adds that as a result, people are abandoning piped water for alternative sources which do not provide safe options.

Similarly, Abudon Mugerwa, the Zirobwe Sub County chairman says unlike them, counterparts in Wobulenzi and Luweero town council are charged Ugx 1900 per unit of water.

//Cue in (Vox)”Okutwaliza awamu….
   Cue out;….gatulemesezza”//
 
According to Luweero district water department, 41% of the residents in the district have no access to safe water. But despite the capacity to supply water to 38,000 households, Zirobwe Water Supply and Sanitation Scheme only supply’s piped water to 372 households.

Isaac Nsubuga, the Manager of Zirobwe Water Supply and Sanitation Scheme blames the high cost on low consumption and high operation costs.

// Cue in: (English)“Now in Zirobwe….
     Cue out;….get high”//
 
// Cue in: (Luganda)“Ebbeyi y’amazzi….
    Cue out;…amazzi tugaseera”//
 
 
 

 

Tagged with: african development bank ministry of water and environment zirobwe water supply and environment high costs of water

About the author

Brian Luwaga
Since Brian Luwaga joined Uganda Radio Network in 2011, he is still amazed how, "URN is a place that gives journalists a chance to enhance their skills . It gives a journalist an opportunity to adopt and master various aspects of journalism that include radio broadcast, social media, photography and television production."

A practicing journalist since 2009, first with Star FM, Luwaga has always been keen to write about the concerns of the "common person." Based for much of his career in Luweero, Luwaga takes it as a compliment if politicians complain that his reporting is too harsh.

In his journalism, Luwaga likes to merge the past with the present. He believes you cannot understand what is happening now, if you do not have a grounding in the past. Brian Luwaga is the Luweero URN bureau chief. Nakasongola, Nakaseke, Mityana, Mubende and Wakiso districts fall under his docket.

Luwaga is interested in humanitarian work and is a keen Rotarian.