Question 1

Why do the taps keep drying up?

Accepted Answer

Kasese's piped water comes from the Kilembe valley — the same valley the floods batter — and supply has repeatedly failed in parts of town. In 2024, residents of Kizungu, Kanyangeya and Nyakasanga West reported trekking for water and fetching from streams and roadside drainage channels, with tap operators raising a jerrycan from UGX 100 to between 300 and 500 (Daily Monitor, 2024; The Independent). Some residents drew water from the Nyamwamba itself.

Water from the river and from drainage channels is not safe to drink without boiling or treating — during the same shortages it carries whatever the floods and the channels carry. The council's projected piped coverage is 75.7% (kasesemc.go.ug).

Question 2

Kilembe Mines Hospital closed — where do I go now?

Accepted Answer

Its services moved about 8 km down the valley into Kasese town. After the May 2020 floods submerged the hospital, services were permanently relocated to the former St. Michael Kindergarten and the Kasese Catholic Social Services Hall in town, under an arrangement between the government, Kilembe Mines Ltd and Kasese Catholic Diocese (Uganda Radio Network; The Independent).

For up-valley residents this means travelling to town for care that used to be next door — reporting at the time described the community as stranded. Government and private clinics also operate in town; in an emergency, 999 or 112 reaches police, fire and ambulance services.

Question 3

Is the Kilembe mine really reopening?

Accepted Answer

A deal exists; production has not started. In March 2025 the government signed its first mineral production-sharing agreement with a consortium led by Sarrai Group to redevelop Kilembe Mines — more than US$230 million planned, targeting copper cathodes and cobalt, with the state mining company UNMC holding 15% (Directorate of Geological Survey and Mines; The Kampala Report, May 2025). The government has also moved to reclaim Kilembe Mines land ahead of redevelopment, which affects people settled on it.

On jobs: no public recruitment process had been announced when we checked. Treat job offers that ask for money as fraud — wait for announcements through official channels and the radio.

Question 4

Who owns Hima Cement now?

Accepted Answer

Sarrai Group — the same Ugandan group behind the Kilembe redevelopment. It completed the purchase of Hima Cement from the Swiss Holcim group's companies in March 2024, with Rwimi Holdings taking the minority stake (Uganda Business News; completion reported March 2024). The Hima plant, about 24 km north of town, continues to run on the district's limestone.

Question 5

Where are the markets?

Accepted Answer

The municipality lists 8 open public markets, selling mainly agricultural produce (kasesemc.go.ug) — Shauriyako market in the town wetland area is among the best known. A published schedule of market days was not available online when we checked; the division offices and the council (+256 787 885452) can say which market runs which day. If a reliable schedule surfaces, it belongs on this page.

Question 6

What should I know about the Mpondwe border?

Accepted Answer

Mpondwe, about 40 km southwest of town, is the busiest Uganda–DRC crossing by trade volume (Wikipedia), and Kasese town is the staging market for that trade. Cross-border traders need the usual documents — for current border requirements and any security advisories, check with authorities before travelling rather than relying on a static page.

Question 7

Where is the equator landmark?

Accepted Answer

At Kikorongo, on the Kasese–Mbarara road inside Queen Elizabeth National Park, about 20 km south of town. The colonial-era monument was dismantled in 2019 for road works; a new monument with a globe crossed by the equator line replaced it and has become a stop for travellers and a boost for Kikorongo traders (Daily Monitor; New Vision).

Question 8

How is the municipality organised?

Accepted Answer

Three divisions: Central (48,608 people), Nyamwamba (70,909) and Bulembia (14,112), by the 2024 census — 19 parishes and 58 villages in all, with about 133,600 people. Bulembia runs up the valley toward Kilembe. The municipal council's contact is +256 787 885452, P.O. Box 54, Kasese (kasesemc.go.ug). Kasese town is also the seat of the Obusinga Bwa Rwenzururu cultural institution.

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