Soroti district hit by water crisis as boreholes break down

SOROTI– Thousands of people in Soroti district are facing a water crisis following the breakdown of 250 boreholes in the district.

Among the most affected are the sub-counties of Arapai, Ocokican, Asuret, Gweri, Aukot, and Katine.

Due to borehole breakdown with no repairs being made, residents have resorted to fetching water from open wells meant for livestock.

Esther Arionget, a mother of four children and a resident of Arabaka village in Arapai Sub-county said coming across safe and clean water sources in the area is extremely difficult.

In order to access water for home use, Arionget asserted that residents have to wake up as early as 5:00 am in the morning and trek about five kilometers to the defunct Arapai weekly cattle market that has a shallow well, from which animals also drink water.

Mary Akajo,47, a resident of Aukot village in Aukot Sub-county, who also faces the brunt of the water crisis, said that young girls have been impregnated during the long distances they move in search of water.

“The challenges we have got is that boys and men are impregnating young girls in swamps located far away,” said Akajo, adding that the current water scarcity is making it hard for mothers and girls to keep personal hygiene, especially when they are in their menstrual period.

The Soroti district water engineer, Alex Orywhen, when asked, also blamed the water crisis on the breakdown of boreholes.

“Soroti district has a total of 786 boreholes spread across the 18 sub-counties but out of these, 250 broke down and have never been repaired,” said Oriokot.

Oriokot added that some of the boreholes were constructed in areas with a low water table.
According to him, the district is financially incapacitated to restore many of the nonfunctional boreholes.

“As a district, we receive Shs 653 million each financial year for drilling boreholes but it is not enough, said Oriokot.

Oriokot said the district is now putting emphasis on increasing access to piped water supply as one of the mechanisms to address the current challenge of dry boreholes.

Meanwhile, Rose Tino, the Soroti district chairperson for works and social services committee, blamed water user committees for allegedly mismanaging the financial contributions from communities, which should have been used to repair broken boreholes.

She advised the committees should be reactivated and retrained in their role to maintain the water points.

Meanwhile Simon Edoru Eku, the Soroti district LCV chairperson said that they have written several letters to the central government for help but they have received no reply.

“The district does not have resources to drill enough boreholes, a reason we are urging the government and development partners to rescue the community.

According to Uganda Water Supply Atlas, as of March 31, 2020 access to water in Uganda stands at 67 percent with 132,358 domestic water points serving over 27.1 million people of which 22.1mln are in rural areas.

The records shade a healthier picture of progress across the country with access rates varying from 32 percent 95 percent.

https://thecooperator.news/soroti-city-leaders-resolve-to-arrest-emyooga-defaulters/

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