Authorities in Rukiga District have warned residents against vandalising a Shs2.1 billion government-funded water project after repeated cases of underground pipes being deliberately cut, allegedly to illegally access water for brickmaking.
The warning was issued during a community baraza in Kibanda Parish, Kamwezi Sub-county, where the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) is implementing the Kyogo-Kibanda Water Supply Project. Raymond Mushabe, the NWSC engineer in charge of Rukiga District, said the project had suffered several cases of vandalism, particularly the cutting of underground pipes by people illegally tapping water for bricklaying.Mushabe said the affected pipeline is already supplying water to four villages in Kibanda Parish, including Kinyamozi, Rushojwa and Nyabunyungu. He said authorities were working with police and other security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible.
Mushabe also warned residents against using water from damaged or leaking pipes, saying anyone found taking advantage of the vandalised infrastructure could be arrested and prosecuted. He urged residents to report leaking or damaged pipes to NWSC so that repairs can be carried out promptly.
Rukiga District Woman Member of Parliament Dr Sylvia Arinaitwe expressed concern over the vandalism, saying she had received disturbing photographs showing damaged sections of the water network. Arinaitwe, a former NWSC Deputy Managing Director, said it was frustrating for leaders who lobby for development projects to see the infrastructure damaged after being secured for communities.
She said some materials used in constructing the water reservoir tanks had been imported from Australia because they are not manufactured anywhere in Africa, making replacement difficult and costly.
Rukiga Resident District Commissioner Zaddok Kamusiime warned that vandalising government infrastructure attracts serious penalties. He said destruction of public facilities amounts to sabotage of development programmes intended to benefit communities.
Rukiga County MP Patrick Katabaazi Kiconco called on residents to remain vigilant and report people suspected of sabotaging government projects. He said local leaders would continue lobbying for additional investments in safe water, electricity and health services.
Kiconco also pointed to the ongoing construction of a multi-million-shilling irrigation scheme in Kyondo Village, Kashambya Sub-county, which had stalled since 2017 before being revived this year. He said the project was among those that required close supervision and follow-up by leaders to ensure government investments benefit residents.
“When we assumed office, we discovered that in 2017, the central government had allocated a water project for Kashambya Subcounty. However, due to lack of follow-up, nothing was done until recently, when we decided to fast-track its implementation,” he said.
Meanwhile, Bon Shine, the NWSC Rukiga District Branch Manager, said the Kibanda project is part of the wider Kyogo-Kibanda Water Supply Project, funded by the Ugandan government. Shine said the project will serve up to 14 villages in Kyogo and Kibanda, as well as parts of Rwamatunguru Township in Kamwezi Sub-county. The project is expected to be completed by December 2026. Mushabe said the project has four water sources with a combined production capacity of up to 148,900 litres per hour. Boreholes have been drilled at four locations in Kibanda Parish, with each source designed to directly serve surrounding communities.
The project also has a power station that pumps water into storage tanks with a combined capacity of up to 160,000 litres. From the reservoirs, the water is distributed through a 32-kilometre pipeline network to households and businesses for domestic and commercial use.
Mushabe said residents who want to benefit from the piped water supply are required to apply for connections. Kamwezi Sub-county LCIII Chairperson Tedison Niwagaba said piped water coverage in the area currently stands at about 80 per cent.
He also expressed optimism that the area would benefit from a Shs5 billion irrigation scheme pledged by President Yoweri Museveni during the 2026 presidential campaign in recognition of residents’ voluntary efforts to vacate wetlands. Authorities have urged residents to protect the water infrastructure, saying continued vandalism could delay expansion of services and increase the cost of maintaining the project-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
