Residents of Lamingonen Sub-parish in Agago District are facing a worsening water crisis after a solar-powered water supply project valued at nearly Shs6 billion failed to provide water because the area lacks sufficient underground reserves.
The project, funded by the Ministry of Water and Environment with support from the Export-Import Bank of India, was intended to supply clean water to Lamingonen Central, Kamuk, Loch-Ken, Lukom, Lamingonen Tee-Got and Otumpili villages, as well as Lamingonen Government-Aided Primary School and Loch-Ken Community School.
However, residents say the system stopped functioning almost immediately after installation.
Terencio Opedo, a resident of Lamingonen Village, said community members were only able to draw water from the taps once before the system dried up.
“When the installation was completed, we fetched water only once and after that no water came out again,” Opedo said, adding that the situation has made it difficult for families to maintain proper hygiene amid concerns over Ebola.
He noted that a nearby borehole drilled in the area also failed to yield water despite extensive efforts, with more than 40 pipes reportedly sunk into the ground.
The water shortage is also disrupting learning in local schools. Opedo said some teachers ask pupils to fetch water for them because schools do not have enough for daily use.
Quinto Okot Obita, the LCIII Chairperson of Lamingonen Parish, said residents continue to endure severe hardships despite the government’s investment of almost Shs6 billion in the failed project.
According to Obita, households and pupils at Lamingonen Government-Aided Primary School walk about four kilometres through rugged terrain to collect water, while learners at Loch-Ken Community School travel up to seven kilometres into neighbouring Namukora Sub-county in Kitgum District in search of safe drinking water.
He warned that dependence on unsafe sources could trigger disease outbreaks and worsen sanitation conditions. Obita said a dam constructed by Oxfam for livestock has become a source of water for domestic use because residents have no alternative.
He also expressed concern over the safety of people who fetch water from springs located on nearby hills, saying they risk attacks from Karamojong cattle raiders believed to hide in the mountainous areas.
Officials from the Ministry of Water and Environment attributed the failure of the project to dry geological formations that cannot sustain groundwater extraction.
Aaron Osipira, an engineer with the ministry, said authorities advised Agago District not to commission the scheme because it was incapable of supplying water to the intended beneficiaries.
“The scheme cannot be commissioned because the source failed due to dry geological layers,” Osipira said.
He explained that a temporary 20-cubic-metre water supply system has been installed to ease the shortage as government engineers continue searching for a viable water source for the affected communities.
Local leaders are now calling for comprehensive hydrogeological studies and greater community involvement before any new water projects are undertaken in the area.
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