Kibanda residents decry government neglect: “We’re Forgotten”
“I’ve talked to several leaders over the years, but no one has ever responded or come to help. Many families are getting sick because of this dirty water.”
Rukiga: Residents of Kibanda Parish in Kamwezi Sub-County have voiced their frustration over persistent government neglect, highlighting a lack of clean water, poor mobile network coverage, and widespread underdevelopment in the area.
These concerns were raised during a joint campaign rally held on Friday, attended by various political aspirants contesting for office in Kamwezi Sub-County.
Winne Tumwebaze, a 72-year-old resident, gave a heart-wrenching account of her lifelong struggle with unsafe water:
“Since I got married and settled in Kibanda Parish, I’ve been forced to fetch dirty water from rivers and dams the same sources shared with animals. We’ve been drinking this water for decades. It’s not safe for humans, and it’s causing diseases.”
Jane Kamusiime shared similar concerns, saying repeated pleas to local leaders have gone unanswered:
“I’ve talked to several leaders over the years, but no one has ever responded or come to help. Many families are getting sick because of this dirty water.”
Residents also lamented the lack of reliable mobile network coverage. Charles Baguma noted that the only signal available is often picked up from telecom masts across the border in Rwanda, complicating communication and access to digital services.
Baguma also criticized current leaders for failing to deliver tangible improvements: “Since we elected the current leaders, nothing has changed in Kibanda Parish. The only person who has helped us recently is Dr. Sylvia Arinaitwe, who constructed a few facilities. That’s why we are voting for new leaders this time.”
Muhwezi Bless, the Youth Councilor for Kibanda Parish, confirmed the severity of the water crisis: “People are falling sick because of the water. We need government action now before the situation worsens.”
Counsel Patrick Kiconco Katabazi, an aspirant for the Rukiga County MP seat, pointed fingers at the incumbent, Hon. Roland Bish Ndyomugyenyi, for what he described as ineffective leadership:
“The current MP is not an NRM member, and most of the planning for our areas is done in NRM meetings. If he’s not in the room, how can he advocate for the people?”
Efforts to reach Hon. Roland Bish Ndyomugyenyi for a response were unsuccessful. His phone was switched off, and he was unavailable for comment at the time of filing this report.
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