Water shortage hits three subcounties in Nebbi district

NEBBI, March 17, 2025 – Three subcounties in Nebbi district, namely Kucwiny, Atego, and Angal-Nyaravur Town Council, are currently facing a severe water shortage.

Residents report that, due to the ongoing scarcity of water, some communities are being forced to share the only available water sources with animals, making the water unsafe for human consumption. Others are required to walk long distances in search of water.

According to the community, the water shortage is so severe that people are having to walk 4 kilometres or more to find both drinking water and water for their animals.

Beatrice Adongitho, a resident of Jupukei village in Kucwiny Subcounty, explained that there is only one borehole at Padwot Primary School serving four villages, and this is struggling to meet the needs of the nearby population. She has called for government intervention to address the current water crisis.

“In these dry periods, it is the women who are most affected because they have to walk long distances. They wake up as early as 5:30 am in search of clean and safe water for domestic use, and they end up spending most of their day doing so,” said Adongitho.

Emmanuel Urombi, the Nebbi district Chairperson, attributed the water shortages in the three subcounties to a low water table, which has made borehole drilling increasingly difficult.

Urombi added that to alleviate the water shortage in some areas, the district has drilled a motorised solar-powered piped water system in Ndhew Subcounty, at Jupalyec village, to serve the lower belt in Oweko Parish. A water survey will also be carried out in other subcounties facing similar water challenges.

“Due to the high demand for water during the dry season, a 20-litre jerrycan of water is being sold for Shs 500, which makes it difficult for vulnerable members of the community to access clean and safe water. The government needs to focus more on drilling additional boreholes in rural areas to solve the water shortages,” Urombi said.

However, Posiano Owachgiu, the Vice LC III Chairperson of Nyaravur-Angal Town Council, highlighted that the water shortage is not only affecting households but also public institutions. Some schools are without nearby water sources.

“We have many schools in the district facing the same water challenges, and this has contributed to a reduction in student enrolments, especially during the first term,” said Owachgiu.

https://thecooperator.news/mukono-district-expands-tap-water-access-to-rural-communities/

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