The Elusive Quest for Clean Water in West Nile: A Perturbing Reality

In the West Nile Sub-region, the promise of clean water remains unfulfilled. The local communities have been battling this issue for years. For individuals like Joyce Adia, 46, from Terego District, it's not just a crisis; it's a way of life. Growing up, Adia had to share her water source, the River Enyau, with animals and fellow community members bathing by its banks.

"I've spent my life drinking water from the river. What’s disheartening is that while we have been dutifully paying our taxes, we hear of infrastructural developments in water facilities in other regions, but not ours," says Adia.

Emily Drijaru from Madi-Okollo voices a similar sentiment, emphasizing how the water scarcity particularly affects those in remote areas, leading to school dropouts, especially among girls, who spend considerable time fetching water.

Recent discussions among district leaders and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) held in Arua District sought solutions for this persistent challenge, especially during the dry seasons. Dr. George Didi Bhoka, MP for the Obongi Constituency, opined that it’s high time the people of West Nile approached Parliament over this dire situation. "Addressing water challenges is a collective responsibility, given its critical role in various production cycles," Bhoka stated.

However, there is a glimmer of hope. The government has made some efforts in addressing the issue. Water points are being constructed in various places. Still, the reality is that safe water coverage in Uganda stands at a meager 66%, leaving a significant portion of the rural population to rely on unsafe water sources.

According to Emmanuel Wafula, National Project Coordinator of Action Aid–Uganda, the limited access to clean water in West Nile can lead to various societal challenges, from domestic violence to increased school dropouts and food insecurity. "We have a long way to go. Our safe water coverage is 47.5%, falling short of the national average of 69%. Collaborative efforts are crucial to address this," he emphasizes.

Dominic Iranya, the Water Officer for Obongi District, attributes some of the challenges to budgetary constraints. "Our district gets between Shs300 million to Shs400 million annually, which is insufficient to cater to a population of 52,000," Iranya noted.

The future isn't bleak. Geoffrey Abara, Assistant Water Officer for Pakwach District, proposes the adoption of motorized solar-powered water projects. "Given our region's soil texture, borehole drilling is challenging. But technology can be our ally if we have the necessary funding," says Abara.

To put things in perspective, Uganda hosts 138,663 domestic water points, serving around 29 million people. Yet, there are still 5,312 sources that have been non-functional for over five years, deemed abandoned. Globally, 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, a fact reported by both the World Health Organisation and UNICEF last year. The crisis is real, and West Nile's plight is a testament to the need for swift action and sustainable solutions.

 This article was originally published in The Monitor