MUBENDE – Access to clean and sufficient water is a fundamental human right, yet for many communities in Uganda, it remains out of reach. In Butoloogo Sub-County, Mubende District, water scarcity is not just an inconvenience it is a crisis threatening food security, livelihoods, and human dignity. Urgent action is needed to dismantle the systemic barriers that continue to deny the people of Butoloogo their basic right to water.
It is important to note that the right to water is deeply intertwined with the right to adequate food and nutrition. Without reliable access to clean water, agricultural productivity declines, malnutrition rises, and entire communities suffer. As a State Party to the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), which Uganda ratified on January 21, 1987, the country is obligated to ensure that all people have access to sufficient food and water, whether through production or acquisition. Yet, in Butoloogo, this right remains unfulfilled due to persistent water scarcity.
The Nsanvu community, for example, like many others, depends on subsistence agriculture for food and income. However, limited access to water sources has led to declining agricultural yields, economic hardship, and food insecurity. Climate variability, coupled with dwindling water sources, has further exacerbated farming challenges.
This crisis is worsened by land tenure insecurity, with forced evictions in Kigande, Nabwerere, and Tuula leaving many farmers vulnerable. In Nsanvu, the only available water source is a contaminated pond shared by humans and animals, contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases and further jeopardizing public health.
Government’s failure to establish adequate water infrastructure, has left these communities vulnerable to prolonged dry spells and seasonal water shortages, endangering both livestock and livelihoodsNeedless to say, women and young girls are disproportionately affected by water scarcity, as they bear the primary responsibility for collecting water. They walk long distances to fetch water from unreliable and often unsafe sources, putting their health and safety at risk. The time spent searching for water also limits their opportunities for education and income-generating activities. Gender-sensitive policies must be implemented to ensure that women have equitable access to land and water resources and a voice in water management decisions.
Water scarcity in Butoloogo is not just a policy challenge, it is a human rights crisis that requires urgent action. The Ugandan government has a constitutional duty to uphold the right to water. Investing in sustainable water infrastructure, such as boreholes, and implement gender-responsive policies that empower women in water access and management is essential. The time to act is now.
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