Drinking water
Photo: Google
The longstanding challenge of drinking water at University of Rwanda (UR)-Huye campus could soon be history. The issue had been worsened by a directive by university management to students to stop using electric kettles in their rooms as it consumed a lot of power.
The directive came into effect about four years ago when managed slashed accommodation fees for students.
But now varsity authorities are saying plans to find a lasting solution have reached advanced stages.
Eric Nduwayo, a third year student in the School of Journalism and Communication, told Kaminuza Star that lack of drinking water on the campus exposed them to a myriad of problems, including diseases caused by contaminated water such as cholera and abdominal pain.
Flora Mutoni, a second year student in the School of General Nursing, said: “Life without water that’s suitable for drinking is so hard. You try to buy drinking water but you can’t afford it whenever you need it.”
She said this had forced many students to resort to drinking the same tap water they use for bathing, as well as washing hands and clothes.
This could change as soon as this academic year if what the dean of students’ welfare at UR-Huye campus told Kaminuza Star is anything to go by.
“We understand the seriousness of the issue and have taken steps toward finding a solution,” Theresie Nyirahabimana said, disclosing that they are in the process to install smart water tanks at on-campus student hostels.
She said each of the nine hostels will have a tank with purified water.
The project, Nyirahabimana said, will cost Rwf25 million.
It will be implemented during the 2020-2021 academic year, she added.