By Stephen Ojacor – As Uganda joined the rest of the world to celebrate world water day on the 22nd of March, authorities in Ojama village, Ojama parish, Katine Sub County decry water shortage in their area.
Joseph Ebucu the area LC1 chairman says his area has got a population of over nine hundred people struggling for only two boreholes of which one was a donation from the Christian child fund which he says is currently being shared by the nearby school population.
“I have a community of over 900 people who depend entirely on two boreholes to cater for their water needs, one was drilled by the government and the other a donation from ‘Christian child fund’ which also serves over 700 children during normal school days,” he said.
However, Moses Eroju Emugu the Katine LC3 chairperson adds his voice saying that some communities like Kisenyi, Asinge, Ocwela and Ojama are equally faced with water shortages through the Sub County has already forwarded the matter to the Soroti district authorities for action.
“There is a biting challenge of water scarcity in the sub-county and many villages rely on underground water for use, but currently we have submitted our requests to the district and we await the response,” he said.
Meanwhile, George Michael Egunyu the LC5 Soroti district says the problem of water shortage is a cross-cutting issue but appeals to the members of the public to always attend budget conferences so that their priorities are considered.
“It is not that the district is not bothered but maybe when you reach other districts as well there is a challenge of water scarcity so what we are saying is that people should always attend budget conferences so that they can air out their concerns, Sometimes we are moved by the public demand to make decisions,” he said.
World water day is celebrated annually globally and the theme of World Water Day 2021 is valuing water. The value of water is much more than its price – water has enormous and complex value for our households, food, culture, health, education, economics and the integrity of our natural environment. Without a comprehensive understanding of water’s true, multidimensional value, we will be unable to safeguard this critical resource for the benefit of everyone.
Copyright Kyoga Veritas Radio News 2021
