Masaka City’s recent elevation in status has not brought much joy to the residents of the newly annexed areas from Lwengo and Kalungu Districts, who are facing a serious problem of accessing safe drinking water.
Many of these areas, which are now part of Masaka City, still depend on shallow wells, a situation that poses health risks due to the poor quality of the water. Nagagya Iren, a resident of Misaali village, which was merged from Mukungwe sub-county into Masaka City, reveals the harsh conditions.
She says that while some parts of the city have water taps, a large portion does not have the privilege of running water.
As a result, residents, including those in Misaali Village, are forced to fetch water from untrustworthy wells and ponds.
Andrew Magoba, who lives in Kingo village, which was incorporated from Kingo sub-county in Lwengo District, stresses that many parts of their sub-county are still lacking piped water infrastructure.
The challenge of accessing basic amenities goes beyond water, with reports of widespread electricity shortages in many areas.
Despite the promises of improved services made by leaders during the city’s expansion, residents express frustration at the lack of concrete development in their regions.
Kitatta Ibrahim, the LC 5 for Lwengo District, recognizes the territorial sacrifices made for Masaka City’s growth.
However, he notes that the guarantees made by Masaka’s leaders have not been fulfilled, leaving many communities without the promised improvements in essential services.
As Masaka City struggles with the contradiction of its upgraded status and the unmet needs of its residents, calls for immediate attention to infrastructure development, especially in water and electricity provision, echo among the dissatisfied populace.
The gap between promises and reality underscores the need for prompt action to meet the expectations that came with the city’s expansion.
