Uganda: Water Shortages Trigger Domestic Problems

Chris Mugasha
February 15, 2013

Water scarcity in some parts of Uganda has led to increased domestic violence in homes.

One of the worst affected is Bushenyi district in the southwestern region.

Wills Bashasha- the Bushenyi district chairperson says that the water shortage in the district had led to many women being beaten by their husbands, while others are allegedly raped as they travel far off places to collect water from shallow wells.

He now wants households with iron-roofed houses to construct water harvesting tanks as a measure to reduce on causes of domestic violence in homes.

Bashasha notes that it’s a shame to find people carrying jerry cans of water collected from far off wetlands and swamps despite the fact that such water could have been tapped during the downpour before flowing off to the wetlands.

He explains that the issue of lack of water in some homes has contributed to domestic violence with women and children being the victims.

According to Bashasha, some children’s academic performance especially those in day-schooling has greatly been affected which he attributed to water stress at home.

“They go to schools after walking long distances while chasing for water and as a result they reach at school when they are already stressed and tired,” Bashasha notes.

He says they have already started a campaign to encourage people and institutions with permanent houses to construct water tanks that harvest water from roofs.

Bashasha articulates that they are trying to reach development partners to come and help the vulnerable families especially the elderly by constructing water harvesting tanks for them.