River Rwizi in western Uganda continues to be one of the greatly endangered rivers choking on pollution in the Nile Basin, yet it is the major water source for over 300,000 people in Mbarara city, different factories and other facilities across the city and beyond.
River Rwizi is part of the Victoria Water Management Zone, and it crosses different districts in western and central Uganda, connecting with the Kagera River up to Lake Victoria.
As the river dries up due to pollution, the National Water & Sewerage Corporation-NWSC Mbarara is already struggling to provide over 300,000 litres safe water to the people and facilities around Mbarara city, and beyond on a daily basis.
NWSC only produces about 200,000 litres compared to about 300,000 litres required daily, causing scarcity of over 100,000 litres of water daily for Mbarara city alone.
RELATED STORY – HOW CORRUPTION & POLICY GAPS ARE HINDERING THE RESTORATION OF RIVER RWIZI
POOR & WEAK ENFORCEMENT: Mbarara city town clerk, Assy Abireebe Tumwesigire recently said there is a court case against Mbarara city council arising from its attempts to demolish Bridgenest Bar, Lodges & Restaurant near Katete bridge for polluting River Rwizi.
Other facilities like GBK factory in Rwebikoona, Nile Breweries plant in Ruharo, hotels in the city centre and outskirts, and others have on several occasions been cited in the contamination of River Rwizi. The pollution is also evident in districts of Rwampara, Sheema, Kiruhura, and other hotspots.
More polluting human activities like illegal sand mining, cultivation, bricklaying, open defecation, animal grazing, local residents directing the sewage/garbage into the river, motor vehicle washing, and others are evident.
The National Environment Management Authority-NEMA has continuously decried political interference, and lack of enough manpower and resources hindering its efforts and operations to restore and conserve River Rwizi, wetlands, forests, and other ecosystem. Women and children are the biggest victims of the disasters arising from this.
RELATED STORY – CROSSING A DEATH TRAP DAILY!
ALSO READ – UNESCO: 70% of environmental journalists attacked for their work
Environmental and climate activists continue to attribute such terrible pollution levels to corruption, policy gaps, poverty, lack of sensitization, and other factors hindering enforcement. STORY BY AARON AINOMUGISHA / Western Uganda Media & Community Initiative-WUMeC Uganda & Rise News Uganda Network
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