Ntungamo Municipality Member of Parliament Gerald Karuhanga has intensified community outreach efforts, focusing on service delivery challenges in Nyamisha and Kakukuru, two areas within Ntungamo Sub-county. The engagements, part of Karuhanga’s broader efforts to address public concerns, centered on water access, road conditions, and administrative restructuring, with residents voicing both appreciation and demands for improved infrastructure and governance.
In Nyamisha, residents highlighted longstanding struggles with water scarcity, relying on contaminated dams and distant springs. Johnson Mpamize, a Nyamisha Cell resident, described the community’s reliance on “dirty water for a community of about 300 people.” Karuhanga responded by donating a 10,000-litre water tank, which will provide free access to clean water for one year. The initiative, funded through parliamentary savings, aims to reduce waterborne diseases and improve public health, with Karuhanga emphasizing the need for long-term solutions like expanding National Water connections.
Juliet Mpamizeburiku, the district councillor for Western Ward, acknowledged the tank’s immediate impact but noted persistent water shortages in other areas, such as Katogo Cell. Karuhanga reiterated his commitment to expanding water access, citing a 2016–2021 program that connected 1,200 households to the National Water system. He aims to increase this to 2,000 connections, stressing that reliable water supply is critical for Ntungamo’s hilly terrain, which exacerbates distribution challenges. Discussions with National Water officials have also led to plans for four large storage tanks at higher elevations to address pressure issues.
Karuhanga’s visit to Kakukuru revealed stark contrasts. Residents criticized poor road conditions, limited health services, and a lack of administrative support. Yonasani Nyehangane, former chairman of Kakukuru Cell, argued the community should be incorporated into Ntungamo Municipality, citing its proximity to the town center and existing voter participation within the municipality. “We are only four miles from town up to this cell,” Nyehangane said, adding that the sub-county chief has failed to address their needs. Karuhanga acknowledged similar calls from neighboring areas like Kiborogota and Lugazi, but emphasized that administrative changes must not overshadow service delivery improvements.
The MP cautioned against prioritizing boundary adjustments over tangible infrastructure. “If people get services, they will not keep pushing to join the municipality,” he stated. Residents also raised concerns about damaged bridges and gullies, which hinder movement and access to markets. These challenges are compounded by Ntungamo’s hilly geography, which complicates road maintenance and public service delivery.
The engagements occurred amid recent National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) operations that evicted wetland settlers and destroyed crops around Lake Kakyera. While Karuhanga acknowledged the need for environmental protection, he called for greater community support during transitions. He suggested creating industrial parks to provide alternative livelihoods for those affected, ensuring sustainable economic opportunities alongside conservation efforts.
Karuhanga’s outreach underscores the tension between administrative reorganization and immediate service delivery. As communities like Kakukuru push for incorporation, the focus remains on addressing systemic gaps in infrastructure and governance. With ongoing efforts to expand water access and improve roads, the MP’s interventions reflect a dual commitment to both short-term relief and long-term development in Ntungamo Municipality.
Ntungamo MP Addresses Water, Road Challenges in Community Outreach
Ntungamo MP Gerald Karuhanga has taken his community engagement to residents in Western Division, including Nyamisha and neighboring Kakukuru, highlighting concerns over access to clean water, roads, health services, and other public services. While Nyamisha residents welcomed a new water facility, Kakukuru communities called for improved roads and public services, with some seeking incorporation into Ntungamo Municipality. The engagements also addressed broader challenges, including wetland enforcement and the need for sustainable livelihoods.
Residents in Nyamisha described years of reliance on dams, small river outlets, and distant springs, with some walking long distances for water. Johnson Mpamize, a Nyamisha Cell resident, noted the community had no taps, springs, or boreholes, forcing people to use “dirty water for a community of about 300 people.” Karuhanga donated a 10,000-litre water tank, which will serve over 300 residents free of charge for one year. Juliet Mpamizeburiku, the district councillor for Western Ward, praised the intervention but highlighted ongoing water shortages in areas like Katogo Cell.
Karuhanga emphasized the tank’s role in reducing waterborne diseases and improving public health. He cited a 2016–2021 program that connected 1,200 households to the National Water system, aiming to expand this to 2,000 connections. The hilly terrain of Ntungamo complicates water distribution, prompting plans for four large storage tanks at higher elevations. Karuhanga stressed that reliable water supply is critical for the municipality’s development, particularly after a recent drought exacerbated existing challenges.
In Kakukuru, residents raised concerns about poor roads, limited health facilities, and inadequate public services. Yonasani Nyehangane, former chairman of Kakukuru Cell, argued the community should join Ntungamo Municipality, citing its proximity to the town center and existing voter participation. “We are only four miles from town up to this cell,” Nyehangane said, criticizing the sub-county chief for neglecting their needs. Karuhanga acknowledged similar calls from neighboring areas but emphasized that service delivery must take precedence over administrative changes.
Residents in Kakukuru also highlighted damaged bridges and gullies, worsened by the hilly terrain, which hinder movement and access to markets. These challenges are compounded by the area’s geography, which complicates road maintenance and public service delivery. Karuhanga noted that while administrative reorganization is a priority for some, the immediate need is for improved infrastructure and governance.
The engagements coincided with NEMA’s enforcement operations, which evicted wetland settlers and destroyed crops around Lake Kakyera. While Karuhanga supported environmental protection, he called for community support during transitions, suggesting industrial parks as alternatives for affected livelihoods. He stressed the need for sustainable economic opportunities alongside conservation efforts.
Karuhanga’s outreach reflects the dual focus on immediate relief and long-term development. As communities push for incorporation, the emphasis remains on addressing systemic gaps in infrastructure and governance. With ongoing efforts to expand water access and improve roads, the MP’s interventions highlight the complex interplay between service delivery, administrative restructuring, and environmental sustainability in Ntungamo Municipality.