Water scarcity forces family members to trek long distances-Hoima EACOP PAPs

Wednesday, September 24th, 2025 | By

Families must trek nearly 2-3km to fetch stagnant water from unreliable sources within the Kitegwa B in Kabaale Parish Buseruka Sub County in Hoima district.

Kabanyoro Everce a resident of Kitegwa B in Kabaale Parish Buseruka Sub County Hoima District, western Uganda notes that the scarcity has led to social issues, with girls falling prey to men while fetching water, and families facing turmoil as husbands accuse their wives of infidelity when they return late from fetching water.

Kabanyoro laments the lack of access to clean water has forced them to move long treks to fetch water that had not been their problem before the EACOP came.

Another resident Annet Kasolo shares a similar story. She notes that families have bathed in the same poor-quality water for as long as she can remember.

Kasolo further explains that due to the water scarcity, families have resorted to bathing in shifts.

“When people must travel such long distances for water, they find ways to manage. Many families now bathe in shifts; if the husband bathes on Monday, the wife bathes on Tuesday, and the children on Wednesday. Imagine living like that, especially for those who need to go to work. Our appeal to the government is to provide us with modern water sources,” Kasolo said.

 “They had constructed five boreholes but per now we only have two functional boreholes in the village and with the population size 2 boreholes is just a drop in the ocean. We appeal to any partners who can help, as the water people are drinking is so bad that you feel sick just thinking about it,” Kasolo added.

She added that many residents frequently fall ill, but they have no choice but to continue using the contaminated water.

The under drilling destroyed most of the water sources and the destruction led to scarcity of water and residents who cannot afford to buy a jerry can at 1000 Uganda shillings have resorted to walking miles in search for water from wells and swamps.