By Mulengera Reporters
It was a tense and anxious Sunday morning of January 11th, 2026 for residents of Mbarara when taps suddenly ran dry across the city and surrounding areas. What began as confusion quickly turned into concern as families, businesses, and institutions scrambled to understand what had happened.
The interruption was later traced to a major power failure at Kagera Water Works, the key facility responsible for pumping and distributing water across the region. Without electricity, water production came to an abrupt halt, triggering a supply crisis that affected thousands.
The management of National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) – Mbarara Area quickly stepped in, confirming the cause of the disruption on Facebook and assuring the public that emergency teams were already on the ground.
Areas hit by the interruption included Mbarara City, Kakoba, Ruharo, Biharwe, Nyamitanga, Bwizibwera, Koranorya, and surrounding communities. Residents reported dry taps early in the day, forcing many to ration stored water or search for alternative sources.
Small business owners, especially in the hospitality sector, expressed worry about the impact on their operations. Schools, health facilities, and households also felt the pressure as the hours passed.
In a public statement, NWSC expressed regret over the inconvenience caused and assured customers that technical teams were working tirelessly to restore normal water supply in the shortest time possible. The corporation explained that engineers had immediately coordinated efforts to resolve the power challenge at Kagera Water Works to prevent the situation from escalating into a prolonged crisis.
Customers were advised to use the available water sparingly as restoration efforts continued. NWSC further encouraged the public to remain calm and rely on official communication channels for updates.
The corporation provided toll-free numbers — 0800100977, 0800200977, and 0800300977 — and informed customers that updates would be shared via its social media platforms and official website.
The incident served as a strong reminder of how heavily water supply depends on stable electricity. A single power disruption was enough to affect an entire city within hours.
As restoration efforts progressed, residents expressed relief at the swift communication and visible action taken by NWSC. For many, it was not just about the water — it was about reassurance that the crisis was being handled with urgency and professionalism.
By Sunday evening, hope remained high that normal water supply would soon be fully restored, as Mbarara continued to conserve every available drop while awaiting the return of running water. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
