Councilors Want Bududa-Nabweya Gravity Flow Scheme Investigated

Bududa District councilors want the government to investigate the irregularities in Bududa-Nabweya Gravity Flow Scheme. They claim that the Shillings 23billion project financed by the Ministry of Water and Environment in 2017 has failed to serve its purpose.

 

The project was aimed at providing clean safe water to Nabweya, Bukigai, Bushiribo, Bushiyi sub-counties, and Bududa town council.  Emmanuel Wakibi, the Bushiribo Sub County LC V Councilor, says that Bududa-Nabweya Gravity Flow Scheme was meant to serve people uphill of Nabweya who did not have access to water.  

“The people uphill are still suffering. Pipes are only in the lower area leaving the people who were supposed to be the main beneficiaries of the project,” he said. Dison Nabushisa, the Bushigayi town council LC V councilor told our reporter that they want their area Member of Parliament, David Wakikona to help them to solve the problem of water in the area. 

Dickson Natsami, a resident of Bunamubi in Bukigai Sub County, said he has not received water despite paying connection fees in 2018.  He says that the implementers of the project only planted water pipes in his compound but he has never received water. Peace Nakuti, the Bushiribo/ Bunatsami sub-counties woman councilor, says that the scheme was meant to help people to access clean water.  

She said people are receiving water bills with huge amounts of money without even using the water.  Ronald Wanambwa Nambale, the Bukigai sub-county councilor, says that the water line was diverted to the lower areas of Bulucheke, Bukigai, and Bududa Town Council instead of the intended areas.    

It's people uphill who need Water not downhill. Everyone in Bukigai could get water but some leaders by then mismanaged the project by swindling money. They (Leaders) bought land and built powerful houses using part of the project funds, “he said.   

Isaa Bukoma, the Bududa district Engineer said the project was contracted in phases and is now complete. He, however, didn't explain why some areas have until now failed to access water. He said it was handed to Eastern Umbrella water and sanitation for maintenance. Efforts to get a comment from eastern umbrella water and sanitation were futile by the time of filing this story.

Milton Kamoti Wasunguyi, the Bududa LC V Chairperson, said that he would investigate the matter and get the truth about the scheme because the intended beneficiaries are not getting water.  He said he is still learning how the work was supposed to be done since he is still new in the office.