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The state minister of Water and environment Aisha Sekindi, addresses Journalists at Zombo lower primary school playground, in Zombo town council after the commissioning on December 19, 2024. Photo/ Mike Rwothomio. By Mike Rwothomio Zombo The ministry of water
The state minister of Water and environment Aisha Sekindi, addresses Journalists at Zombo lower primary school playground, in Zombo town council after the commissioning on December 19, 2024. Photo/ Mike Rwothomio.
By Mike Rwothomio
Zombo
The ministry of water and environment through Water and sanitation development Facility- North, with funding from Ugandan government and Federal Republic of Germany through Kfw, has commissioned a mega piped water supply system in Zombo town council on December 19, 2024.
The construction project undertaken by Kings Albert Construction spanned 16 months costing Ugx 5.2 billion.
The project was designed to supply clean water to the local communities, who had previously relied on unprotected sources.
The water supply covers Zombo town council, part of Athuma and Nyapea Sub-counties serving over 20,000 people.
The construction that it’s commencement dates back to April 2023, has seen 660 connections in the community.
Under the social corporate responsibilities, public toilet was constructed at Zombo central market, 10 stances pit latrine at Zombo Lower Primary School, to fix the existing gap in health care and sanitation.
The state Minister of Water and Environment, Aisha Sekindi during the commissioning, commended community for welcoming the project through offering land, and cautioned them against acts of vandalism.
She also noted that “this is part of the government commitment of ensuring clean water reaches every compound by 2030.”
Sekindi also emphasized the need for water users committee, to sensitize community on clean water usage, highlighting the benefits of clean water source on health and economic development.
A brand new Yamaha Motorcycle was also handed to the department for easy mobility and inspection of the facility.
The government initiative adds to the ministry’s continuous effort in enhancing water connectivity in Zombo district with over 300,000 population, majority of whom are rural based.
According to the ministry of water and environment, over Ugx 3 billion has been disbursed to Zombo district in the last four years, as part of the government effort to support establishment and maintenance of the existing water points.
The LCIII chairperson of Zombo town council Naftali Ocamagiu, lauded government of Uganda for this impactful project, calling for more connections to numerous villages left out, including 55 UPDF battalion barracks in Ajere hill.
The facility, includes critical infrastructure such as a pump house, water system, security fencing, toilet facilities, and solar panels amongst others. Its construction has been a source of hope for the local community, which for decades has relied on contaminated water sources, putting their health at risk.
The LCV chairperson of Zombo commended government for the the initiative and lauded community members for offering land at a subsidized costs, to house the Multi-billion Project.
The Member of Parliament for Ora County, also the chairperson natural resources and climate change committee, commended government of Uganda for the project, highlighting about a string of forthcoming water projects in the district in areas of Alangi, Zeu, all aimed at enhancing water coverage in the district.
Beyond financial concerns, the destruction of public infrastructure jeopardizes public health and safety, leaving residents without access to clean water and increasing their risk of waterborne diseases.
Festus Ayikobua, the Resident District Commissioner of Zombo, warns of vandalism that could disrupt water supply in the area, rallying community to own, and offer enough protection to the facility.
Ayikobua also pleaded that the ministry extends water supply to border sub counties of Aka, Zeu and Alangi, where water scarcity is high.
Currently, water access rates in the district vary, from 56% in Athuma Sub-County to 95% in Jangokoro Sub-County, with Zombo hosting 1,472 domestic water points serving a population of 273,138, predominantly in rural areas.
However, 308 water points have been non-functional for over five years and are considered abandoned.
According to the district water officer Morish Enzede, the district water coverage currently stands at 87 percent, with the functionality of 79 percent.
Richard Matua, the commissioner urban water supply and sewerage services department, acknowledged the issue of water scarcity in UPDF barracks of 55 battalion in Zombo town council, assuring of extensive connections to the community, once the funding is made available by the government.
He rallied community to pay water bills as part of the project’s sustainability.
Walter Okello, Assistant commissioner ministry of water and environment who represented Dr Alfred Okidi, the Permanent secretary in the ministry, calls for safety and protection of the facility. He assured of the governments planned connections to other areas of scarcity in Zombo.
Other commissioning in North and west Nile regions were done in the districts of Obongi and Amuru, thus enhancing community’s access to clean water.
As Zombo District looks forward to more sustainable water supply solutions, community members are hopeful that government will extend more connections to areas of scarcity.