HOIMA, April 15, 2025 – Communities in the Bunyoro Sub-region who have long struggled to access safe and clean water now have a reason to smile, following the construction of 15 boreholes funded by Christian organisations.
The boreholes, valued at Shs 375 million in total, were built across several districts, including Hoima, Masindi, and Kakumiro, as well as Hoima City. The project was spearheaded by Elijah Streams in partnership with Show Mercy International.
One of the newly commissioned boreholes is located in Lyato village, Buseruka Sub-county, Hoima district. Emmanuel Agenonga, Chairperson of Lyato, said residents had never imagined they would have access to clean and safe water.
“We used to share unprotected water sources with wild animals, putting us at constant risk of waterborne diseases,” he said during the commissioning event.
The boreholes will benefit residents of Lyato, Nyakabingo, and Kalwanango villages, communities that previously relied on Nyabokoro-Hoimo swamp, over 5 kilometres away, for water. Agenonga noted that the scarcity of clean water in the area disproportionately affected women and children.
“This borehole is a big relief. However, we call on the government to construct more water sources, as this one will serve more than 500 people,” he added.
Bishop Sam Muhumuza of Revival Explosion Church in Bujumbura East, Hoima City, who also runs a goat farm in Lyato, described the borehole as a blessing.
“Water has been our biggest challenge here. During the dry season, I lost several goats because there was no water. I used to spend Shs 30,000 daily to buy water, but it became unsustainable,” he said.
He explained that the area’s low water table makes it difficult to access water through shallow wells, which often yield no results. The borehole was drilled to a depth of 220 feet using high-capacity equipment.
Local resident Mary Agia echoed the gratitude, noting that the borehole marks the end of years of suffering from waterborne diseases such as typhoid, malaria, and cholera.
“We’ve been pleading with our leaders to lobby for clean water in vain. Thanks to Elijah Streams, that suffering is now history,” she said.
Bishop Jackson Nyakoojo, the Bunyoro Sub-region Overseer for Pentecostal Evangelical Churches and coordinator of Elijah Streams projects, said the newly commissioned boreholes are among 15 constructed in the region based on community requests and needs assessments.
One of the boreholes was installed at Hoima Police Barracks to support law enforcement families with clean water access.
Bishop Hudson Suubi, Overseer of the National Fellowship of Pentecostal Churches in the Buganda region and trustee of Elijah Streams/Show Mercy International, revealed that the organisations have constructed 499 boreholes nationwide, valued at Shs 12 billion.
“Our mission is to promote good health among Ugandans by providing clean and safe water. Access to safe drinking water remains a significant challenge in the country,” he said.
“These are high-quality boreholes, installed with stainless steel materials. Each borehole cost Shs 25 million. We plan to construct an additional 30 boreholes in Bunyoro. We are grateful to God and the government for the peace and cooperation that allows us to do this work.”
While commissioning the boreholes, Kikuube Resident District Commissioner [RDC] Amlan Tumusiime praised the initiative, saying it complements government efforts to increase access to safe water.
“This is what all religious leaders should be doing, not just preaching, but also working to transform their communities socially and economically,” he stated.
Tumusiime urged communities to take ownership of the water sources and form local management committees.
“Don’t wait for donors or government when a borehole breaks down. Mobilise small contributions from within the community for maintenance,” he advised.
The borehole project marks a significant step forward in addressing water scarcity in Bunyoro, offering relief to thousands of residents while fostering collaboration between faith-based organisations and local governments.
https://thecooperator.news/soroti-district-hit-by-water-crisis-as-boreholes-break-down/
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