Encroachment threatens Makutupora water basin, stakeholders warn

DODOMA: HUMAN activities are increasingly threatening the Makutupora Basin, part of the Kinyasungwe Catchment, which serves as a critical water source for Tanzania’s capital, Dodoma.

This concern was raised during a multi-sectoral stakeholders’ forum convened to address challenges facing the Kinyasungwe Catchment.

The meeting was chaired by the Dodoma Regional Administrative Secretary, Mr Kaspar Mmuya.

“There is growing encroachment into protected water catchment areas that supply water to Dodoma, particularly underground reserves. People are engaging in farming, deforestation, and other unauthorised activities. This must be urgently addressed. The area must be preserved for the benefit of all residents,” Mr Mmuya emphasised.

Director of the WamiRuvu Basin Water Board, Engineer Elibariki Mmasy, also stressed the importance of protecting Dodoma’s water sources in Makutupora, Nzuguni, and Chamwino.

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“Dodoma’s development is directly tied to the sustainability of these water sources. As a board, it is our duty to bring stakeholders together and devise effective strategies to protect them and ensure an uninterrupted water supply,” he said.

Dodoma city lies within the Kinyasungwe Water Reserve, specifically the Makutupora Catchment, and depends entirely 100 per cent on water drawn from this area.

The basin’s reliable water supply plays a key role in supporting the city’s economic and social development.

S t a k e h o l d e r s unanimously agreed that safeguarding the catchment is essential to prevent recurring water-related conflicts and to ensure the long-term sustainability of this vital resource.