By Gerald Niyirinda
Jinya Water Scheme is now functional, thanks to the Bufumbira South legislator, Hon Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda.
On 16th May, Seruganda’s Political Assistant, also the Muramba Sub County LC5 Councillor, Martin Hakizimana, led a team that included LC1 Chairpersons and plumbers to the Jinya Water Project.
The Jinya Water Project is located in Gisozi Parish, Muramba Sub County of Bufumbira South.
The local leaders oversaw the renovation of the project, which among others included replacement of taps and unblocking of broken and clogged pipes.
This followed cries from locals that the onset of the dry season had started biting hard, with water shortage problem rising day by day.
Bufumbira South, made up by the greater Muramba, Nyarusiza, Chahi and Nyakinama Sub Counties usually registers acute water shortage during the dry season.
Communities trek as long as 20 kilometers to distant water sources, and prices for 20-litre jerrycans can hit Shillings 3,000.
There was relief when President Museveni commissioned the Nkanka Water Supply System in January 2021, a scheme that pumps over 3 million litres of water every day, to most water-scarce areas of Kisoro.
Jinya remains a traditional water source for communities in Gisozi parish in Muramba Sub County, and other nearby areas.
According to Martin Hakizimana, communities depend on it for water for household use and feeding their cattle.
“Jinya has helped this community for centuries. It remains the only water source for the villages around. We implore them to treat the project as their own and take good care of it,” he said.
Through Mr Hakizimana, Hon Seruganda, pledged to continue advocating for water accessibility in Bufumbira South, with a target of seeing communities get water within a radius of less than 1 kilometre.
Seruganda’s efforts repaired 13 taps, and the cattle’s drinking trough was unclogged.
Nteziyaremye Callist, the Gisozi LCII Chairperson appreciated efforts by the legislator to see the project operational again.
He however noted that Kisoro District Local Government has not shown interest in protecting and advancing the project that supports over 1,000 homesteads.
He said, “We have not seen the district administration show interest in this project. Perhaps it’s because it was not duly handed over to them, but the project looks as if it has not owner or someone to control it.”
The LC1 Chairpersons of Matarama, Chana and Kibande villages who use Jinya water expressed gratitude to Hon Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda.
They expressed optimism that the communities would now face less effects of the upcoming dry season.
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