Across the town council’s six wards, families continue to depend on contaminated open wells, shallow streams and stagnant surface water for drinking, cooking, washing and watering livestock, exposing communities to the risk of waterborne diseases.
A visit to the area found residents collecting muddy water from unprotected wells and stagnant pools, with many villages lacking boreholes, protected springs or piped water systems.
“We use this water for cooking, washing and everything that requires water,” said Nusfa Kyorukunda, a resident of Iterero Ward.
Judith Akampurira, another resident, said households are forced to improvise before using the water by allowing it to settle and filtering it.
“We let it settle, filter it and use it for cooking,” she said.
Residents say the crisis has persisted for years but worsens during prolonged dry seasons when the few shallow wells available dry up, forcing people to walk long distances in search of water.
“The wells we have dry up completely and we trek to Kahengye Bridge to fetch water,” said Lydia Tusingwire, a resident.
“Many people fetch water from shallow wells, the flowing river and stagnant water,” added Marvin Babujjaga.
The few improved water sources that were constructed in previous years have reportedly fallen into disrepair, leaving communities with no dependable alternatives.
Residents fear that continued reliance on unsafe water sources could trigger an increase in cases of cholera, typhoid, dysentery and other waterborne diseases, while also affecting household welfare, livelihoods and school attendance.
Local leaders say extending piped water, constructing boreholes and protecting existing springs would provide a lasting solution to the crisis.
George Rwaheru, the LC1 Chairperson of Iringo Cell in Iterero Ward, urged the government to prioritise Nyamunuka in plans to extend services from the nearby River Kahengye Water Project.
“Water is being connected from Kahengye to Rwashamaire. In this parish we have a hospital and primary schools, all without water. We should be considered first because our people and our public facilities have no access to safe water,” Rwaheru said.
Nyamunuka Town Council Mayor Yasin Katafa Byamukama acknowledged the severity of the problem, saying local leaders are engaging managers of the River Kahengye Water Project to have the area connected.
“People are suffering. They are fetching water from wells and small rivers. We are facing many challenges because without water there is no life. We are still negotiating with the managers of the Kahengye project so that Nyamunuka can also receive its share since we share the same river,” Byamukama said.
The River Kahengye, which flows through Ntungamo and Rukungiri districts, is expected to become a key source of water supply for Nyamunuka Town Council if ongoing discussions with project managers succeed.