Locals Protest Alleged Shift of Water Reservoir in Mpara Sub-Counts

6 March 2025, 10:26

Locals from Mpara Sub-County in Kyegegwa District staged a peaceful protest today, marching to the office of LC3 Chairperson Baryomunsi Joshua. The demonstration was in response to allegations that the location of a planned water reservoir—intended for Kahungera Hill—might be moved to Kijwiga Village in Mpara Sub-County.

This protest stems from the events of September 12th, 2024, when Kyegegwa District authorities officially handed over two sites: one for the Mpara Town Council’s piped water supply system and another for the Nyakatoma-Rwahunga water system in Mpara Sub-County. The goal was to facilitate the construction of a Solar-Powered Piped Water Supply System, funded by the Export-Import Bank of India and the Government of Uganda, with an investment of $1.2 million.

Since then, significant progress has been made on the project, but concerns have emerged regarding the potential relocation of the water reservoir from its original planned site on Kahungera Hill. Local authorities had even secured the area for its construction. The uncertainty surrounding this change has led to widespread dissatisfaction among residents, some of whom stormed the LC3 office holding placards with slogans such as, “No tank on original site, no vote.”

In response to the protest, Chairperson Baryomunsi Joshua, who was in the midst of an executive meeting, took a brief pause to address the demonstrators. He assured them that the issue would be addressed peacefully and that the matter would be resolved amicably, despite the demonstrators’ threats to block the project.

The situation escalated further, prompting intervention from Senior Assistant Secretary of Mpara Sub-County, Stephen Baguma. He strongly rejected the claim of a planned shift in the water reservoir’s location, stating that no formal communication had been received from relevant authorities or the contractor, M/S Shakti Pumps India Ltd.

The dispute remains unresolved as both sides seek clarity on the future of the water supply project.