Kabale District Council has defied a directive from the Ministry of Water and Environment to reallocate funds initially planned for the construction of the Rukurura Gravity Flow Scheme in Butanda Sub County.
The ministry had instructed that the funds instead be redirected to Karujanga Health Centre III and the Kiruruma-Kisibo Gravity Flow Schemes.
The council had approved a budget of 156 million shillings for the 2024/2025 financial year under the piped water sub-grant, with a significant portion earmarked for the Rukurura project.
The controversy erupted during a council meeting on Tuesday when the Kabale District Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), John Asiimwe, informed the council that he had received authorization from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Water and Environment, Eng. John Twinomujuni, to reallocate the funds.
In a letter dated April 24, 2025, Asiimwe had petitioned the Permanent Secretary requesting approval to alter the district’s work plan. He cited technical and financial irregularities identified and confirmed by stakeholders. He added that the District Executive Committee had resolved to redirect the funds towards the construction of two communal rainwater harvesting tanks.
Following this petition, the Permanent Secretary authorized the reallocation of funds in a response dated May 26, 2025, permitting the district to channel the money to Karujanga HCIII and the Kiruruma-Kisibo schemes, which serve neighboring community institutions.
However, councilors rejected the ministry’s directive, insisting that the original allocation for Butanda Sub County must be honored to address the ongoing water crisis in the area.
Peace Rutarimara, the district councilor representing Kamuganguzi Sub County and Katuna Town Council, opposed the reallocation. She emphasized that Butanda is among the sub-counties hardest hit by water shortages, especially during the dry season, describing the directive as “demeaning and unfair” to the people of Butanda.
Baker Champion, the councilor for Kahungye Sub County, questioned the basis of the ministry’s decision, criticizing unnamed civil servants for allegedly feeding misleading information to ministry officials—information that contradicts established council resolutions.
Gilbert Niwanganyira, the councilor for Butanda Sub County, questioned the motive behind the Permanent Secretary’s directive, arguing that the district council operates autonomously. He expressed disappointment in the CAO for petitioning the ministry without consulting the council.
CUE IN NIWANGANYIRA……ON THE ISSUE…….ENG//
Kabale District Speaker Flavia Kanagizi Nyinakiza reaffirmed the council’s position, stating that the council would not allow the reallocation of funds despite the Ministry’s guidance.
She instructed the CAO to write to the relevant authorities, notifying them of the council’s resolution to proceed with the water project in Butanda Sub County.
CUE IN SPEAKER NYINAKIZA……ON THE RESOLUTION……ENG//
