Following a public outcry over the adulteration of Kahogoma stream water with pig faeces, planting of eucalyptus trees there and the unbearable stench emitted in Katuugo Cell, Kasiingo Ward in East Division, Hoima City, authorities have rushed to the area to assess the situation with a call for environmental police to act immediately.
On Sunday, residents of Katuugo cell complained that faecal matter from the pigs reared in the area is being disposed of into Kahogoma stream whose water is used for drinking, cooking, washing and other domestic purposes by more than 400 homesteads of Katuugo, Kibbati 1&2 and Mpaija cells.
While at the scene, Mr Robert Kyomuhendo, the Mayor of West Division, noted with concern how the piggery owner, Mr Godfrey Galimaka, disposed of the pig waste into the stream well knowing residents and other neighbouring cells use its water for domestic purposes.
He also wondered how the wetland has been encroached on by planting there eucalyptus trees that environmentalists consider as high water volume consumers that drain water bodies dry unlike indigenous tree species.
The mayor urged the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) and the environment police to intervene immediately so as to save the wetland from degradation.
Audio: Kyomuhendo on piggery (English)
The Cell Chairman, Mr Ramadhan Erias Byonta, said in the course of dealing with the piggery owner, Division authorities should work on providing the residents with clean and safe water by constructing a water source there.
In response, the West Division Town Clerk, Mr Ahmed Mugisa, said given the urgency of the matter, the area will be allocated some funds for the construction of either a shallow well or a borehole in the 2023/24 financial year budget for the residents to have clean and safe water.
He said the authorities will instruct the piggery owner to manage his project properly to the convenience of the local people.
