The people of Mbale district are crying foul over a long dry spell that has triggered a water crisis in there are. According to reports from residents, a 20 liter jerry can of water costs Shillings 1000, which many cannot afford.
Reports further indicate schools, hospitals, police, prisons, Restaurants, guest houses and public toilets among others as the most affected by the water crisis.
Several people were over the weekend seen queuing up to fetch from various pints outside Mbale town while others were forced to drive to Tororo, Butaleja, Kapchorwa and Bukedea districts to access a drop of water.
According to Emmanuel Bruno Musìmenta, the Senior Engineer National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Mbale area, they are only pumping 185,000 of the required 250,000 cubic liters of water each day.
This is from NWSC’s two treatment plants which draw water from Nabijjo, Manafwa and Nabuyonga rivers. According to Musimenta Nabijjo and Nabuyonga rivers have dried, while the water level in Manafwa River has dropped considerably.
The Mbale water station serves Mbale Municipality, Nakaloke town council and parts of Sironko, Manafwa, Bukedea, Pallisa and Butaleja Districts with at least 140,000 clients. Some of the water consumers only get water between 5:00 am and 9:00 am.
It is however said that water consumers in some areas haven't had water supply for over a week. According to Salim Muwabe Kivejinja, the Principal Administrator Mbale Regional Referral Hospital, the water crisis has stalled works at the facility.
The hospital spends up to 200,000 daily to fuel the Fire brigade truck to deliver water to the hospital. He says although the fire brigade supplies water to the hospital twice daily, it still isn't enough to meet their demands.
Residents of Republic Street in Mbale town, say they drive to Bugema in the Mbale town suburbs to collect water from spring well, which costs Shillings 10,000 in transport.
Those in Mbale Central market, face a challenge in their operations due to lack of water, since they need water to clean their stalls before they display meat produces.