Residents in Kamuganguzi Decry Poor Roads, Health Services and Water Shortages
Residents of Kamuganguzi Subcounty in Ndorwa West, Kabale District have raised concerns over worsening social services, saying the situation has made life difficult in their communities.
While meeting leaders from the Local Sustainable Communities Organisation (LOSCO) and CAPAIDS Uganda on Monday in Nyangoye Village, residents highlighted challenges including impassable roads, poor health services, lack of clean water and unreliable electricity.
Anita Orishaba, a resident of Nyangoye, said the community struggles especially during the rainy season when roads become impassable. She added that the local health facility lacks basic medicines including common painkillers such as Panadol.
“Even at the hospital they ask us to come with our medical record books, and if someone misplaces the old one used during their first visit, they are denied services,” Orishaba said.
Robert Bandusya, another resident from Nyangoye in Kasheregyenyi Parish, echoed the same concerns, noting that poor roads have greatly affected their farming activities.
“Our produce cannot reach markets due to poor roads. We end up selling at very low prices because vehicles cannot access our villages,” he said.
He also complained about water shortages and unstable electricity supply.
LOSCO Executive Director Albert Taremwa said they were in Kamuganguzi to engage communities directly and understand the challenges they face. He noted that the eviction of residents from lowlands and wetlands to highlands had worsened access to water and other essential services.
Taremwa explained that while communities and local leaders have been able to address issues like domestic violence and high alcohol consumption, challenges such as poor education, health services and road networks remain severe.
“Through the Local Leadership Labs project, we are empowering communities to understand their roles and rights. As NGOs, we are helping to raise their voices to higher authorities,” he said.
He added that the initiative will be expanded across the greater Kigezi region.
Joseph Mayanja from CAPAIDS Uganda said the project aims to identify key problems in communities and work with both leaders and partners to find sustainable solutions.
“Different regions have different challenges. For example, in Mbale we found domestic violence as a major issue, while in Bugiri it was health and education. Here in Kigezi, the main concerns are poor social services. We document these issues, engage leaders and seek support to address them,” Mayanja stated.
Residents were encouraged to hold their leaders accountable and to participate actively in community development programs.
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