Safe water systems to be improved in Kashari, councilor Twinomujuni hailed for lobbying

By Amos Kakungulu

Mbarara – Locals from Mbarara district particularly Kagongi  sub-county in Kashari North are blessed to receive piped water from the Ministry of water that was lobbied by some committed leaders from the district.

The 7.5km water pipelines will supply the water-stressed areas of Nsika, Bwengure and Kyandahi parishes all from Kagongi Sub-county.

The project was launched and handed over by the newly appointed Resident District Commissioner for Mbarara, Emmy Turyabagyenyi Katera. He handed over all the materials from the ministry to the leadership of Kagongi sub-county on Wednesday.

Joseph Munguzi, the Mbarara Water Officer said that through the leadership of Kagongi and the community people, they mobilized and petitioned the Speaker of Mbarara district requesting for water pipes for their areas.

Speaker Munanukye then forwarded and submitted the request to the committee of works at Mbarara district requesting the committee to look into the matter.

He also approached councilor Loyda Twinomujuni Muhimbura who is a member of the same committee as a person who has the capacity to lobby directly from the ministry of water .

Indeed, councilor Twinomujuni was able to submit the same letter to the ministry where the Permanent Secretary recognized her and responded positively to her letter by giving 7.5km of HDPE PN10 pipes with their connectors. And they have all been handed over to the right authorities.

He further noted that next week, the district water officer will go back to the sub-county and will liaise with the community and the Lc3 chairperson to move to the areas mentioned in the letter to see exactly where they can start from.

The Speaker also said that there is no money to lay the pipes but they are going to start mobilizing the community so that they can provide labour for excavation then the experts from the district water office will come and do the laying or fixing of the pipes.

Twinomujuni who is the district female councilor for Rubaya sub-county said that her leadership is aimed at working for the people , and that she’s committed to lobbying for her people at whatever level she can reach.

She connected with the office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Water who recognized her request and gave her the pipes. She believes most areas of Mbarara district are water stressed, something that stresses her and promised whatever she can to create safe water sources through lobbying and injecting her own resources for people.

“Mbarara particularly Kagongi is a cattle corridor and was created due to having little water, in many parts of Mbarara people don’t have water, they are stressed up and they need water that’s why I have to put much effort to see that they get water in Rubaya, Kagongi and other water stressed areas in our District.

I will continue to lobby to ensure that the people of Mbarara overcome the challenge of shortage of water,” Twinomujuni said.

“I also call upon the government to keep on responding to our lobbying and to make sure that we get water because water is life,” she added.

RDC Katera praised councilor Twinomujuni for the good heart she has for the people of Mbarara through lobbying for good services.

He appealed to the district leadership to also take interest in funding for the remaining phase of laying the pipes and supply of water.  He cautioned the district engineer and political leadership that the project should not become a white elephant.

“We have witnessed in other areas where a delivery is witnessed by the representatives of the president and then they remain there idle lacking funds of installation, but let me hope this is not going to be the case, and the chief government monitor will not allow these pipes to be laid to rest, at least the budget must be there in place to make the people of Bwengure, Nsika, and Kyandahi benefit from the government initiative,” RDC Katera said.

Didas Tabaro, the Mbarara District LC5 chairman, appreciated the ministry of water for extending support to the district.

“I want to appreciate everybody who was involved in lobbying right from LC3 up to the district and national level that has enabled the ministry and government of Uganda to facilitate our district with these pipes to extend water in Nsika, Bwengure and Kyandahi,” Tabaro, Tabaro said.