Cibitoke : thirst and cholera threaten the population

SOS Médias Burundi

Cibitoke, July 17, 2025 – In Cibitoke, in the new province of Bujumbura (western Burundi), residents of the district are experiencing a serious shortage of drinking water. Lacking access to water supplied by Regideso, the only state-owned company responsible for water and electricity distribution, many are turning to local rivers, exposing themselves to major health risks, including cholera. Health authorities and Regideso are calling for vigilance while awaiting sustainable solutions.

For some time now, the urban district of Cibitoke has been facing a severe shortage of drinking water. Regideso’s taps remain desperately dry, and many residents, forced to find alternatives, are resorting to the questionable waters of the surrounding rivers, particularly the Nyamagana.

The lack of access to clean water worries the population, who fear the outbreak of diseases linked to dirty water, particularly cholera, which has already been reported in some areas. “We can’t afford to buy a 20-liter container for 1,000 Burundi francs or more. So we drink river water, even if it contains chemicals used in the crop fields,” said one resident.

This situation is particularly worrying in the villages of Mparambo, Rukana, and Rusiga, among others, where cases of waterborne diseases are beginning to increase. The population is calling on Regideso to intervene quickly to prevent a major health crisis.

For his part, the provincial head of Regideso acknowledges the significant drop in water levels in springs during this dry season, a phenomenon exacerbated by increasing urbanization. However, he assures that efforts are underway to increase the capacity of storage facilities and improve water supply.

In the meantime, he calls on health and administration authorities to increase awareness about domestic water treatment. “It is crucial that residents boil their water or add purification products before consuming it,” he recommends.

While the population awaits concrete solutions, the health emergency looms and requires rapid and concerted action from the various stakeholders involved. In Cibitoke, in the new province of Bujumbura (western Burundi), residents are facing this water crisis hard and have no choice but to hope for a rapid response from Regideso.