By Prosper Gibolo
The Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) has repaired 14 nonfunctional boreholes in Kotido district as part of Quick Impact projects implemented by Karamoja cluster III.
The rehabilitated boreholes are located in the sub-counties of Nakapelimoru Panyangara, Loletio and Kamor.
Residents in these areas have for long been trekking miles to draw water from the streams which are not good for human consumption.
The district has 648 domestic water points, which serve 130,702 people. 159 water points have been non-functional for over 5 years and are considered abandoned. The district also has only 6 piped schemes.
While handing over the repaired boreholes to the community Lt. Col. Gaston Mugarura, the 405 brigade Commander said that borehole repairs are part of six-day Tarehe Sita activities.
Tarehe Sita marked, very February 6, commemorates the launch of National Resistance Army’s liberation struggle in 1981, through which President Museveni captured power in 1986.
However, these year’s 45th Tarehe Sita celebrations were moved forward because of the general elections.
Over time the celebrations have evolved into nationwide community outreach including repairing borehole, cleaning streets and towns, opening roads, carrying medical camps among others.
Lt. Col. Gaston Mugarura, said that these activities are part of Uganda Peoples’ Defence Forces (UPDF) wider mandate.
“Tarehe Sita activities are a reminder that UPDF is people’s army that grew from the community and continues to work with the community”, said Lt. Col. Mugarura.
Maria Aleper, one of the women from Kamor Sub-county was so grateful to the UPDF for their good gesture.
She said boreholes’ repair will alleviate the severe water crisis that had forced locals to consume unsafe water, resulting in widespread intestinal worm infections.
Felix Achuka councilor of Kangorok parish Kamor sub county said that borehole rehabilitation project will benefit the community.
He said for years, locals were stressed over water scarcity due to none functionality of boreholes, the only source of safe and clean water.
“It has been difficult for residences to get safe and clean water for home consumption because the boreholes have been none functional” explained Achuka.
According to him, traveling long distances to look for water in the streams had caused significant misunderstanding within households especially between husbands and wives.
Meanwhile Pius Loma a mechanic contracted to repair the boreholes urged the community to utilize the boreholes well and form a water source committee for proper maintenance.
