Oyam, (UG):- Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda, in partnership with Oyam South MP aspirant Patrick Ogwang Obura have successfully rehabilitated 121 boreholes across Oyam South constituency during 2024-2025.
This initiative aims to address the physical needs of underserved communities by providing reliable sources of clean water, thereby reducing the risk of waterborne diseases.
Justine Okello, the project coordinator of Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda, says that many previously drilled boreholes had become non-functional due to a lack of funds for repairs.
He said this project aims to bring these boreholes back to life, ensuring that every resident has access to clean and safe drinking water.
“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 said.
Okello However said that the boreholes they have been rehabilitating are perfectly drilled and only need to install best quality spare parts that cost around 600000/= per borehole depending on the level of breakage.
Of the 121 boreholes, 105 were rehabilitated in 2024, while 5 were newly drilled. The rehabilitation exercise for 2025 was recently launched in Minakulu Sub County where 16 boreholes were rehabilitated.
Community Appreciation
The community has expressed profound gratitude for the initiative, recognizing its positive impact on their daily lives. 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 the non-functionality of some boreholes in the communities has 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 kilometres for swamp water on the Oyam-Apac border.
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 the development partner that has rehabilitated their broken borehole.
“At the 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 our broken borehole. God should reward him for that because water is life,” Atim said.
Geoffrey Tadeo Okello, representing Patrick Ogwang Obura, reiterated the importance of proper maintenance of the rehabilitated boreholes. He emphasized that Ogwang Obura’s agenda includes providing reliable access to clean water as a foundation for sustainable development 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.
Thomas Okello, a health worker with Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda, encouraged community members to form water source committees to oversee the maintenance and proper use of the boreholes.
In Otara Village, Kuluabura Parish, Minakulu Sub County, residents have embraced the collection of water user fees to maintain their water points.
Nelson Ojera, secretary of Otara borehole community, said in 2016, water users started saving the 160000/= and by 2020, their money made the interest of up to 26millions shilling which is being used for repair of boreholes and loaning out to members
Water Status in Oyam District
Oyam District has 1,182 domestic water points, with 213 considered abandoned due to non-functionality for over five years. Out of the 414,116 rural population in Oyam District, 316,594 have access to clean water, while 97,522 do not.
In Oyam South constituency, there are 121 functional shallow wells and 14 non-functional ones. The constituency also has 36 functional and 11 non-functional protected springs.
Loro Sub County have 38 functional and 18 non-functional shallow wells, Loro Town Council with 12 functional and 4 non-functional, Minakulu Town Council with 9 functional and 3 non-functional, and 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 shallow well
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