National water officials in Lira accused of corruption, incompetence   

10 March 2023, 10:00 am

By Denish Ongora (denish.ongora@vol.co.ug)

Lira

Former Oyam south MP, Isa Otto Amiza has accused officials of National Water and Sewerage Cooperation-NWSC Lira branch of corruption, incompetence and poor leadership.

Otoo, a human rights activist who is also a resident of Lira city has written to the managing director, National Water and Sewerage Cooperation, Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha highlighting issues that have triggered water crisis in Lira city.

In his letter to Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha, dated 2/03/ 2023, and received on 3/03/2023, Otto Isa accuses the manager, NWSC, Lira branch of corruption and incompetence.

Otto said NWSC Lira branch staffs are indiscipline and less concerned about the complaints of Lira city dwellers on issues of water.

He alleges that the equipment installed by NWSC to pump water like; generator, pipes, meters, are substandard which has contributed to disruption in water supply.

Otto also notes the issue of poor water treatment which has seen dirty water being supplied, putting the public at risk of contracting water borne diseases.

Otto also says the generator being used by NWSC which is supposed to pump 500 cubic liters per hour, only pumps 270 cubic liters per hour which has contributed to disruption in water supply.

He says officials of NWSC Lira branch have also been collecting money for water connections and using substandard pipes.

Otto adds that huge sums of money was spent in repair of the water booster in Ireda, Agwata, and Akanykori but water problem has persisted on.

He accuses the Manager of national water in Lira of connivance with politicians and NWSC officials in Kampala to conceal the issues surrounding water supply in Lira city.

Otto has asked the Managing director of National Water and Sewerage Cooperation to act on the matter, failure of which he will launch a serious demonstration against NWSC like he did to UMEME in the past.

The Managing director of National Water and Sewerage Cooperation Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha acknowledged receipt of Otoo Isa’s letter and promised to institute a team of engineers to probe the issues highlighted.

Manager of NWSC Lira branch, Gerazio Tukahirwa said he received Otto’s complaints and is waiting for what action to be taken by the top authorities of NWSC.

Tukahirwa attributes the interruption in water on ongoing installation of water pumps in Agwata and Kachung as well as power black outs.

He said Lira will now receive 9 million liters of water, from the current 7 million liters daily and interruption in water supply will also be checked after installation of the new pumps.