OYAM SOUTH MP ASPIRANT PARTNERS WITH PIONEER EVANGELISM NETWORK UGANDA TO REHABILITATE BOREHOLES

Community members crowded at recently rehabilitated Amitacoo borehole. Photo by Ambrose Okai

By Ambrose Okai

Oyam

Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda in partnership with Oyam South area Mp aspirant, Patrick Ogwang Obura have rehabilitated 121 boreholes across Oyam South constituency in 2024-2025.
 
This initiative aims to address the physical needs of underserved communities by providing reliable sources of clean water that can reduce the risk of waterborne diseases within the communities.
 
Justine Okello, the project coordinator of Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda said many boreholes previously drilled across the District were entirely non-functional because of no funds for repair, which has led to boreholes becoming completely redundant.
 
He said they have learnt that those boreholes drilled only have voluntary plans for maintenance yet most water users are not capable of collecting water funds that can support major repairs once the boreholes break down.
 
 
"This project is a vital step toward improving public health and nurturing a safer, healthier community. We are committed to ensuring that every resident has access to clean and safe drinking water," Okello said.
 
‘’We made a commitment to repair each and every borehole we come across, no matter who originally installed it, to bring back clean water to those communities who have suffered so much," Okello added.

Okello however said that the boreholes they have been rehabilitating are perfectly drilled and only need to install new best quality spare parts that cost around 600,000/= per borehole depending on the level of break down.
 
Of this, 105 boreholes were rehabilited in 2024 while 5 were newly drilled. In 2025, the rehabilitation exercise was recently launched in Minakulu Sub County.
 
During the launch, Geoffrey Tadeo Okello, reiterated calls for proper maintenance of the rehabilitated borehole.
 
He said aspirant Ogwang in one of his many agenda is expecting to have a lasting impact on the health and well-being of the residents in Oyam South.
 
‘’Ogwang Obura believes that by providing reliable access to clean water, he is laying a foundation for sustainable development in Oyam South. That is why he is pledging to continue bringing positive changes to the lives of many residents even before stepping into parliament, ’Okello said.
 
Ronald Akol (Right) area councilor Adel ward in Minakulu Town celebrating rehabilitation of Owinykuu
borehole by Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda.

Ambrose Alung, Vice chairperson Business community at Mitacoo trading center, expressed gratitude to Ogwang Obura and the team for their life-changing initiative.
 
He said non functionality of some boreholes in the communities have impacted negatively on many people, particularly elderly women and children who have been forced to resort to fetching contaminated water from streams.
 
Stella Atim, a resident of Aboloneno C cell in Loro Town Council said they previously walked for 9 kilometers for swamp water at the Oyam-Apac boarder.
 
Atim explained that they used to line up for water according to the village but praised Patrick Ogwang Obura for his good coordinating approach with a development partner that has rehabilitated their broken borehole.
 
“At my age of 81, I have only seen two concerned politicians. The first one was the late Yafesi Okullo Epak who drilled two boreholes for this ward and today Ogwang Obura has come in to repair for us the broken borehole, God should reward him for that because water is life. I also ask my community to payback such a dedicated leader by voting for him,’’ Atim said.
 
Thomas Okello, a health worker with Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda, encouraged the Community members to form water source committees to oversee the maintenance and proper use of the boreholes to ensure their long-term sustainability.
 
Oyam has 1,182 domestic water points and 213 water points have been non-functional for over 5 years and are considered abandoned.
 
 Out of 414,116 rural population in Oyam district, 316,594 have access to clean water while 97,522 do not have access to clean water.
 
In Oyam South constituency in particular, shallow wells which are functional are 121 whereas 14 are non-functional. 
 
It consists of Loro Sub County with 38 functional and 18 non-functional, Loro Town Council with 12 functional and 4 non-functional, Minakulu Town Council with 9 functional and 3 non-functional, Minakulu Sub County with 4 functional and 3 non-functional.
 
Others are Myene Sub County with 16 functional and 6 non-functional, Kamdini sub county 18 functional and 7 non-functional and Aber with 14 functional and 6 non-functional.
 
The constituency also has 36 functional and 11 non-functional protected springs.