Gulu District to Rehabilitate Wartime Piped Water Schemes.

Sogea Satom employees undertake lanscapping works at the Karuma-Gulu water plant in Nora village, Kamdini Subcounty in Oyam District. Courtesy image.

Gulu District is set to allocate 7.5 billion Ugandan Shillings for the rehabilitation and upgrade of six abandoned piped water schemes initially established during the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency.

These water schemes, located in Paicho, Coope, Cwero, Labworomor, and Patiko Ajulu, were originally constructed with support from development partners to provide safe water to thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

During the LRA conflict, over 1.5 million people were displaced in the Acholi Subregion, necessitating emergency water systems. However, after the war ended in 2006 and most displaced persons returned to their villages, maintaining these facilities became difficult due to limited resources and a reduced population unable to fund their upkeep. According to Bosco Kilama, the Gulu district water officer, the Ministry of Water gave clearance to temporarily close the facilities until government funding could be secured.

Kilama noted that the water schemes were initially designed as emergency solutions and not for long-term use. As a result, they require redesign and upgrading before they can be operational. For instance, the Patiko water scheme was redesigned in the 2015/2016 financial year to provide water to Patiko Health Center III, Ajulu Primary School, Kiju Primary School, Patiko Seed Secondary School, and surrounding communities. Similarly, the Labworomor scheme was redesigned in the 2021/2022 financial year, and the Cwero facility received a new design in 2018/2019. These designs are awaiting funding for implementation by the Ministry of Water.

Patrick Komakech, the L.C. III Chairperson of Patiko Sub-County, expressed frustration over the delay in operationalizing the Patiko Ajulu water scheme. He highlighted that the community’s expectations were raised when two large wells were dug, but hope has waned as the project remains stalled. “They dug two big wells and told us that the wells would supply the entire township of Ajulu. They raised our expectations, but people are now losing hope,” he said.

Noel Muhangi, the senior public relations officer at the Ministry of Water and Environment, attributed the delays to limited funding for rehabilitation activities. He explained that while the ministry has a regional plan to upgrade water systems, financial constraints have hindered progress. Muhangi assured the public that some facilities would be prioritized in the next phase of funding.

The rehabilitation and upgrading of these water schemes are expected to significantly improve access to safe water for health centers, schools, and surrounding communities in Gulu District.

Invest or Donate towards HICGI New Agency Global Media Establishment – Watch video here