Severe Water Crisis Hits Bunambutye Resettlement Area Amid Dry Spell

Jan 22, 2025 - 13:59
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Severe Water Crisis Hits Bunambutye Resettlement Area Amid Dry Spell

Over 2,000 residents of the Bunambutye government resettlement area in Bulambuli and nearby internally displaced persons (IDP) camps are grappling with an acute water shortage as a persistent dry spell cripples the solar-powered water system installed by the government.

The system, which relies on solar energy to pump water, has failed to meet the community’s needs during this period of low sunlight, leaving most taps dry and residents desperate. 

In the face of this crisis, residents endure long queues at water collection points, often waiting from dawn until dusk to fetch water. Many go home without any water as the taps fail to sustain demand when the sun sets.

“We spend the entire day lining up, and some days we leave empty-handed because there is no water left. This is becoming unbearable,” a frustrated resident shared.

Godfrey Epera, the Bulambuli Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), has called on the central government to step in and resolve the crisis, emphasizing that the provision of water is their responsibility. “The solar-powered water system was designed to serve the community, but it is evident that it cannot cope during the dry season. The government must urgently explore alternative solutions to meet the growing demand,” Epera stated.

Local leaders and residents are appealing for immediate intervention, including drilling additional boreholes, installing water storage tanks, or upgrading the existing solar-powered system to function more efficiently during dry spells.

Bunambutye resettlement area, established to house people displaced by landslides and other natural disasters in the Mount Elgon region, has faced recurring water shortages that threaten the well-being of its residents. 

As the dry spell continues, the water crisis in Bunambutye underscores the urgent need for a sustainable and reliable water supply system to ensure that the basic needs of resettled communities and those in IDP camps are met. Without swift government intervention, the situation may escalate, putting more lives at risk.

Benjamin Mwibo Benjamin Mwibo is a talented, passionate and creative journalist with a commitment to high quality out put that is factual and researched. Above all Dedicated with a strong desire to identify the truth of the matter.