UgandAshis - 3 The waterbill

UgandAshis 2009 – 3. The water bill.

Kampala, Uganda
April 23, 2009.

My friend, whom I shall call Adam received a water bill yesterday. Nothing out of the ordinary were it not for the fact that instead of the normal $50 fee (100.000 Ugandan shilling) it was $500. Also his water had been shut off. Adam is a very friendly and typical Ugandan in the sense that everything is happy go easy. Knowing he had a letter form the water company stating that for a week their had been a leak outside his house in a pipeline he left to get his water reinstalled.

Today however he lost his patience at the district office of the water board. In an ever escalating shouting match with the official he tried to point out the fact that the bill was not correct and that the water board should review the bill. The man behind the desk dug in his heels claiming the manager of the office was the only one who was able to make a change. ‘Why not go half-way sir?’ You may $250 and we re-install your water for an other $50 fee.

By now all about 100 people awaiting in the queue joined in and a true riot was developing. People were getting ready to storm the office. A 83-year old Acholi Northerner acted as a chief whip and spokes man. Blasting the officials for their lack of common sense, their inability to admit mistakes, or once a mistake is made to fix the problem.

As the general manager walked in it was clear he could do one thing. Adam’s bill was reduced to the normal monthly fee, a letter of apology was written and his water is reconnected. As he shook his shoulders leaving the water company he could hear the Acholi gentleman blast away at the official again. With a smile on his face he mumbled a prayer for the besieged office worker.

Namaskar,
Ashis