Residents Complain Over Taken Water Pipes as Garuka Water Project Hangs in Balance

Residents of Garuka Parish in Bwambara Sub County, Rukungiri District, have appealed to the government to reinstate the construction of the Garuka-Kikarara water supply project, which they say is vital in addressing the persistent shortage of clean and safe water in the area.

The residents are appealing through the Rukungiri District Chairperson, Andrewson Charles Katebire, following the removal of water pipes that had been assembled at different points along the proposed 28-kilometre pipeline network.

Garuka Parish is a newly created parish curved from Kikarara and is located near Queen Elizabeth National Park in the Rift Valley, an area characterised by a hot climate and limited access to shallow underground water sources.

As a result, residents have been relying heavily on water sources shared with animals from Queen Elizabeth National Park, exposing communities to the risk of waterborne diseases and creating additional challenges for households.

The Garuka-Kikarara water project was launched on November 18, 2025, at Bwambara Secondary School by the Minister for Security and Rujumbura County Member of Parliament, Hon. Jim Muhwezi. The 28-kilometre project was expected to be implemented by Umbrella within eight months.

Residents say the removal of the pipes has raised uncertainty over the future of the project and are calling for government intervention to ensure its implementation.

Older persons, women and local leaders say the lack of a reliable water source has placed a heavy burden on families, with children often required to travel long distances to fetch water, affecting school attendance and other household activities.

Residents also expressed concern over the dangers children face while collecting water from rivers and other unsafe sources. The concerns have been heightened by the reported drowning of a girl identified as Brenda on August 11, 2026.

Local leaders say they are prepared to petition relevant government offices, including the highest authorities, if the project is not reinstated.

The Garuka Parish councillor, Joshua Abomugisha, said residents are willing to continue engaging government to secure the return of the project, while the Garuka Parish LC2 Chairperson, Charles Tukamusherura, highlighted the health risks associated with the community’s continued dependence on unsafe water sources.

However, Rukungiri District Water Officer Deus Twekwase explained that the withdrawal of the pipes was linked to government policy aimed at ensuring access to clean water in every village.

He said the area already has some clean-water coverage through Uganda Wildlife Authority facilities and indicated that authorities were considering shifting the project to other areas within Bwambara Sub County that have no access to clean water.

Residents, however, maintain that Garuka Parish remains in urgent need of a reliable water supply and are urging the district and central government to reconsider the decision and ensure that the planned water project benefits the communities for which it was initially intended.