Kampala city has become Kampala city, as it’s dwellers are grappling with a persistent water shortage which has left life in various parts of the city unsettled.
The dwellers are currently decrying the soaring cost of a jerrycan of water, now selling for Shs 1,000, as taps run dry and long queues form at water collection points.
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This shortage whose cause is unhinged construction has sparked widespread concern, particularly as the city experiences rising demand due to rapid urbanization and high temperatures.
Muhamood Lutaaya, The General Manager of Kampala Water, attributed the disruptions to extensive road construction and ongoing pipe upgrades across the city and the country.
“These infrastructure developments, while crucial for Kampala’s growth, have interfered with existing water pipes, causing significant supply disruptions,” Lutaaya explained.
“As you see, we are upgrading our roads, and that maintenance has interfered with our pipes. Additionally, we are also cleaning our pipes,” Lutaaya added.
Withstanding the setbacks, Lutaaya reassured the public that the two major water plants, Ggaba and Katosi, remain fully operational and supply over 300 million liters of water per day, preaching that the current situation is temporary and teams are working around the clock to repair and upgrade damaged infrastructure, with long-term plans to enhance system capacity.
The worsening shortage has drawn concern from authorities, with the Minister for Health at KCCA, Olive Namazzi, urging Kampala Water to intensify efforts to restore normal supply.
She stressed that access to clean water is essential, particularly amid ongoing public health concerns, including the threat of M-Pox and Ebola.
Business owners and households have been hit hard, with many struggling to afford water for their daily activities.
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