Inyakuni Kennedy

Obongi

The Authorities in Obongi district local government have plugged to improve access to safe and clean water coverage up to 75% by the end June 2023 down from 58%. Currently about 42% of the local population in obongi in access water from unimproved water sources like river Nile, and underground water points.According to reports, per capita in obongi is less than fifteen liters per day yet the recommended standard is twenty liters per day.  Asavu and Rupo villages in Lomunga parish are the most affected villages facing water challenges. Others parish include Liwa all in Gimara Sub County. Some of the sub counties that are also facing water crisis include obongi town council, itula and aliba county.

Mr. Dominic Iranya, the obongi district water officer said the district has planned to drill motorized boreholes in other areas that are facing acute water shortage. He notes that Gimara sub county is the list served area with safe and clean water. “It’s real very true there is that long distance cover by the people of Denllo and Gangue in accessing clean water, when you look at that stretch there is only one borehole that serves two villages. On average some covers over 2.5kilometers to access water”, said Mr. Iranya. He adds: “when obongi started as a district we could move over 3 kilometers to get water but to date there is a silent improvement in a manner that if you around obongi district a radius of 1.5kilomenter, you will at least get a source of water”.
Iranya has attributed the inadequacy of water in obongi district to low underground water sources making it hard to drill boreholes in some areas but increased human population in obongi district. But he said the district has received funds from the ministry of water and environment to improve water supply systems in the district.

Obongi women during world water day

Mr. Charles lokoroi, the Obongi Deputy Chief administrative officer adds that a number of options have been tries to provide clean and safe water for the people. He said as a district leaders they are committed ensuring provision of clean water for the people is poriotised.
However, Lokoroi has expressed challenge of water pipes been cut by unknown people making it hard to complete extension of pipe water from itula sub county to Gimara.   Hajji Habib Buga Khemis, the chairperson obongi district council said the current situation of water crisis obongi is out of hand as compare to the past year. According to him, places like asavu, Rupo liwa and Lomunga that never tasted clean water since time in memorial now have at least clean source of water.

Mr. Samuel Mpimbaza Hashaka, the obongi Resident District Commissioner (RDC) remarked that the national Resistant Movement (NRM) government is committed and will continue to improve safe and clean water coverage’s for citizens of this country. Samuel made the remark on Wednesday while celebrating world water day held in itula Sub County. He said by the time the NRM government to come power, obongi which was a county had water coverage of less than 10%.  “obongi which is now a district with five sub counties and a town council has a water coverage of 58% which will rise to 75% by the end of June this year”, Mr. Samuel adds.