Water prices in Luweero Town Council have skyrocketed. The increase in the water price is as a result of the water crisis that hit the area one week ago, which has triggered a significant challenge for residents and businesses alike, as they struggle to find water for various purposes.
With the taps running dry, some individuals have resorted to purchasing water from vendors who draw it from boreholes. However, this increased demand has also led to a surge in prices, with the cost of a 20-litre jerrycan rising from sh500-1,000.
Shamim Nakatende a water vendor says that the price of a jerrycan depends on the distance from where the borehole is located. She explains that those who are near to the borehole pay only sh500 while those in distant places are charged between sh1,000-1,500.
Daniel Mugoya, the Manager of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) Luweero Branch said that they had an issue with their boreholes that pump water and have deployed a team on the ground which is working on the problem to ensure normal water supply is restored.
This isn’t the first time Luweero Town Council has faced a water crisis. In September, the crisis was attributed to inconsistent power supply which was unable to consistently power the water pumps, resulting in inadequate water distribution.
In October 2021, a faulty motor and intermittent power supply exacerbated the water shortage, following a widespread power outage caused by heavy rainfall and strong winds.
The weather conditions led to the collapse of electricity poles and short circuits in the area, disrupting power supply to the water pumps and plunging the town into a water crisis affecting the areas of Mabanda, Kikubajjinja, Bukuma, Bunyaka, Bunyenye, Kasiiso, Kakuuto, Kasana Market, Kiwogozi, and Mabaale.