Nebbi, Uganda: Residents and livestock farmers in Kucwiny Sub-county, Nebbi District, have received a major boost following the construction of a multi-million-shilling water check dam project aimed at addressing persistent water shortages in the area.
The project, valued at Shs371 million, is being implemented by Nebbi District with funding support from the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) under the Local Climate Adaptive Living Facility (LoCAL) programme.
District officials said the water check dam system is intended to improve access to water for both livestock and domestic use, particularly during prolonged dry seasons that heavily affect cattle farmers in the Kucwiny animal corridor.
Speaking during an inspection of the project at Jupala Centre Village in Lee Parish, Kucwiny Sub-county, Nebbi District Water Officer Evelyn Anichan said the district prioritised the initiative due to growing concerns over water scarcity caused by seasonal droughts.
“For animals as well as humans, access to enough clean water is essential. Through the guidance of our leaders, we felt it was important to construct this check dam to help solve the challenge of water scarcity affecting livestock and communities in Lee Parish,” Anichan said.
She explained that Nebbi District partnered with the Ministry of Local Government and UNCDF to establish the water system as part of broader climate adaptation interventions in vulnerable communities.
According to district authorities, the project is expected to strengthen community resilience against climate-related challenges such as droughts and unpredictable weather patterns.
Everesto Orombi, the chairperson of the Jupala Centre Water Check Dam Committee, welcomed the project and praised government for responding to the water crisis affecting livestock farmers.
However, Orombi noted that more investment was still needed to improve water access for the growing population in Lee Parish, which has over 200 households.
Nebbi District Secretary for Finance, Planning and Investment Lawrence Ojok described the nearly completed project as a major milestone in improving safe water access for both people and animals in the district.
“Since it is in the interest of government to provide clean and safe water sources to citizens, I urge beneficiaries in Lee Parish to embrace and protect this project,” Ojok said.
He added that the water check dam would serve as a model for locally driven climate adaptation solutions aimed at helping communities cope with increasing environmental pressures.
The LoCAL programme supports local governments in least-developed and developing countries to access climate finance, technical support and capacity-building resources needed to strengthen resilience against climate change impacts.
According to the Ministry of Water and Environment, water scarcity remains one of the major challenges affecting livestock production and household livelihoods in several parts of northern Uganda during dry seasons.
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