A prolonged dry spell in the Bukedi sub-region has plunged Bugwere High School into a severe water crisis, straining the administration with extra costs to buy water.
For several weeks, the school has struggled to secure enough water for its growing student population as most available boreholes have dried up, according to headmaster Mr Azizi Walumoli.
The school with an enrollment of 5,558 students has 10 boreholes, but the dry spell compounded with the geographical location has pushed the water table down, leaving them dry.
‘We have a serious challenge with the topographical location because the water table in this area is a bit complex. We need serious intervention to address the issue of water in the school,’ Mr Walumoli explained.
He added: ‘The school only gets relief when it starts to rain, forcing the water table to rise up and also that water which has been harvested in big tanks, but even now they are also dry.’
Mr Walumoli said students pump less than 20 jerry cans at a time, then wait three to four hours for water to re-collect. ‘This takes a lot of time and eventually disorganizes school activities.’
With the prevailing dry spell worsening the situation, the administration now buys water for students and the kitchen.
‘For every single trip the school pays Shs200,000 and yet the school uses six trips, implying that the school coughs Shs1.2million which water takes three days. This has strained the school financially,’ Mr Walumoli explained.
‘Adding that, ‘For six days, the school pays Shs2.4million. This has turned to be expensive and yet the school has a number of challenges that require financing.”
The school has tried installing underground tanks to harvest rainwater, but the persistent dry spell has not solved the problem.
‘Our major source of water is both boreholes and rain harvesting but due to prolonged dry spell, the tanks and boreholes have remained dry,’ Mr Walumoli said.
‘We are calling upon the government through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation to extend piped water to government institutions like Bugwere High School. Instead of wasting Shs2.4million to secure water which could be diverted to paying water bills which could take us a longer time than just within six days. It’s turning to be too expensive on the side of the school. This matter has been brought to the attention of the district,’ he said.
The school, located in Nabweyo, Budaka Town Council, has been fueling water bowsers from Budaka, Kibuku, Butebo and Butaleja districts.
‘We need a permanent solution to cut down these costs. Our hopes now rely heavily on being connected to the national water grid,’ he said.
He explained that the continued shortage has slightly affected essential school activities. Bugwere High School, one of the traditional giant schools in the region, is also facing inadequate teachers, classrooms, and staff accommodation.
Only 30 teachers are on government payroll, while 60 are paid under PTA. The school also faces a deficit of 27 classrooms to cope with the overwhelming number of students.
District NRM chairperson Mr Musa Kyabene acknowledged the crisis and called for urgent intervention. ‘The school is in total water crisis especially during this dry spell. It becomes too expensive to fuel water bowsers almost on daily basis. Something should be done to address this matter,’ Mr Kyabene said.
Health officials warn that inadequate water supplies can cause waterborne illness.
Parents and local leaders are also calling for urgent action. ‘This challenge requires immediate attention. The school with such big population and lacks water is a serious concern,’ Mr Jimmy Mwyai, a community member, said.
Adding that, “School needs reliable water sources to ensure learners remain healthy and focused on their education and also smooth running of the school.’
Education stakeholders are urging government agencies, development partners and well-wishers to invest in sustainable water solutions.
Environmental experts say the crisis highlights the growing impact of climate change on communities across eastern Uganda, where erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells are becoming increasingly common.