In Summary: The facilities are expected to improve access to safe water and sanitation, particularly for women and children who often travel long distances in search of clean water. District leaders have urged communities to protect the facilities and ensure transparency in the management of user contributions.
Apac, Uganda — Apac District Local Government has commissioned nine boreholes and a five-stance drainable pit latrine worth a combined Shs237.7 million as part of efforts to improve access to safe water and sanitation in communities facing water shortages.
The projects, funded under the 2025/2026 financial year, comprise nine boreholes valued at Shs204.5 million and a five-stance drainable pit latrine worth Shs33.15 million at Abolo East in Apac Sub-county.
The boreholes have been distributed across several sub-counties and town councils to reduce the distance residents, particularly women and children, travel to access clean water.
Among the locations benefiting from the new facilities are Arwot Nyap Cell in Chegere Sub-county, Odit Cell in Ibuje Town Council, Pabo in Akokoro Town Council, Akaidebe in Teboke Sub-county and Aburulam in Apac Sub-county.
Speaking during the commissioning exercise, Deputy Resident District Commissioner Richard Tabaaro urged residents to take responsibility for protecting and maintaining the facilities, warning that poor management could undermine the government’s investment.
Tabaaro called for collective responsibility among community members to ensure the water sources remain functional and serve their intended purpose.
“These facilities belong to the communities. You must take ownership of them, maintain them properly and ensure that they serve the purpose for which government has invested public resources,” he said.
He particularly cautioned members of water user committees against misappropriating money collected from residents for the maintenance of the facilities.
Tabaaro said he would work with security agencies and district leaders to investigate committee members suspected of diverting the funds for personal use and ensure that those found culpable are held accountable.
“Water user committee members must understand that the money collected from communities is meant for maintaining these facilities. Anyone found diverting such funds for personal use will be investigated, and we shall work with the security team to ensure that the law takes its course,” he warned.
District Secretary for Production and Marketing Joyce Adoko said the district’s long-term ambition was to ensure that every village has access to clean and safe water.
She described the newly commissioned boreholes as part of broader efforts to improve household welfare and expand access to essential services.
“Our vision as a district is to ensure that all villages have access to clean and safe water. These facilities are an important contribution towards achieving that goal, and we encourage communities to utilise and protect them,” she said.
Adoko urged beneficiaries to appreciate the government’s investment by ensuring the facilities are properly managed and remain operational.
District Water Officer Patrick Okwir said the boreholes were constructed using government funds released for the 2025/2026 financial year.
He challenged communities to work closely with their respective water user committees to ensure the facilities are properly maintained.
“The government has provided these facilities to improve access to clean water. It is now the responsibility of the communities to make the best use of them, protect them and ensure that they remain functional,” Okwir said.
The nine boreholes are expected to improve access to drinking water, promote hygiene and reduce the time residents spend searching for water, allowing households to devote more time to other productive activities.
The five-stance drainable pit latrine at Abolo East is expected to complement the water intervention by improving sanitation and encouraging better hygiene practices.
However, district leaders say the long-term impact of the investment will depend on communities’ ability to protect the facilities, manage user contributions transparently and undertake timely maintenance.
If you would like your article/opinion to be published on Uganda’s most authoritative news platform, send your submission on: [email protected]. You can also follow DailyExpress on WhatsApp and on Twitter (X) for realtime updates.
