Paidha Town Council

By: Tasha Giramia

Residents of Paidha Town Council in Zombo District are grappling with a severe water shortage following a mechanical breakdown of one of the National Water and Sewerage Corporation’s (NWSC) major water pumps.

The shortage, which has persisted for the last three days, has affected more than 80 percent of the town council, including residents in Omua, Central, Nyibola, and parts of Goli wards.

Many residents say they have been forced to walk long distances and spend hours in queues to access clean water.

Andika Dickson, a resident of Jupandika East, said the situation has disrupted both household activities and business operations.

“Water is essential for our daily lives and businesses. The current shortage has made it difficult for many people to carry out their normal activities, especially during this hot weather,” Dickson said.

He urged NWSC to improve communication with consumers whenever there are interruptions in water supply.

“We understand that technical problems can occur, but customers should always be informed through radio announcements, social media, and other communication channels so that they can prepare accordingly,” he added.

Another resident, Tracy Kobusingye, said the shortage has forced many families to adjust their daily schedules in order to secure water.

“I wake up at around 5:30 a.m. every day to look for water before the queues become too long. Sometimes you spend hours waiting at a water source, which affects other activities planned for the day,” she said.

women and children are among the most affected, as they bear the responsibility of fetching water for their households.

An official from the National Water and Sewerage Corporation, who requested anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, confirmed the breakdown and said it resulted from a mechanical fault at the Jupomwoco pump station.

“The Jupomwoco pump developed a mechanical problem, leaving the Ayuda pump as the only operational source supplying water to Paidha and the surrounding areas. This has reduced our production capacity and affected supply to several parts of the town council,” the official explained.

He assured residents that technical teams are working to restore normal operations.

“Our engineers are already addressing the problem, and we expect water supply to improve once repairs are completed. We ask our customers to remain calm and use the available water sparingly,” he said.

The official further encouraged households, institutions, and businesses to invest in water storage facilities to help cope with future supply disruptions.

NWSC says efforts to restore the damaged pump are ongoing and residents will be updated on the progress of the repairs.