THE Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) in Ngara District, Kagera Region has unveiled plans to construct two mega water tanks to address on-going water shortages in the area.

The tanks, one has a capacity of 25,000 litres and another with 75,000 litres.

RUWASA’s district manager, Simon Ndyamkama, made the statement during a public rally at Kumuyange village, hosted by Ngara legislator Ndaisaba Ruhoro.

During the occasion, villagers expressed concerns saying that due to the crisis, they are forced to purchase clean water at 1,000/- per bucket.

Ndyamkama assured residents that the new water tanks would significantly alleviate these issues. “If one source dries up, the other will continue to supply the community,” he said.

The project, which is expected to cost over 1.6bn/-, will also include a 10.8-kilometer water distribution network and a prepaid meter water collection station, aiming to eliminate the need for residents to pay for water by the bucket.

MP Ruhoro emphasized the urgency of the project, directing Ndyamkama to ensure that contractor Joseph Buzubona of Buzubona & Sons Co Ltd oversees the construction effectively.

“This project must be completed within six months, as the residents of Kumuyange village have suffered for too long and urgently need this essential service,” he said.

He emphasised on President Samia Suluhu Hassan’s goal of alleviating the burden on women who often carry water on their heads.

Some residents from Nyamiaga ward shared their distress over the lack of access to clean water since 1974, which has hindered their economic activities.

They often spend hours searching for water, sometimes resorting to contaminated sources.

Magreth Gwassa, a local resident, lamented: “We have endured this situation since 1974, leading to frequent illnesses among us.”

George Ngeze echoed the sentiment, noting that many families have had to use water with larvae from ditches, resulting in various diseases linked to unclean water.

Nyamiaga ward councillor Eustasi Majita acknowledged the ongoing water crisis, stating that lack of the vital resource has severely limited residents’ ability to engage in economic activities.