Communities in Nebbi District and neighbouring Maracha District erupted in celebration on Tuesday as a solar-powered borehole water system was commissioned, ending four decades of reliance on unsafe water sources.
Residents of Abar West Parish, Ndhew Sub-County in Nebbi, and students at Yivu Secondary School in Maracha had long relied on streams shared with animals, exposing them to waterborne diseases.
‘For decades, accessibility to water was a big problem,’ said Ms Jenerosa Wiyajik, 65, a resident of Palyec Central Village who manages a public water stand.
He further explained that: ‘People spent hours at the few water sources. Marriages were breaking because men were suspicious about their wives taking longer hours at the water source.’
The new solar-powered system, implemented by the Ministry of Water and Environment through Nexus Green Limited, now serves over 5,000 people across seven villages, pumping up to 257.9 cubic meters of water per day via 36 solar panels.
The system includes an 18-cubic-meter storage tank and cost Shs170 million.
‘The connection and extension of piped water is for willing customers who wish to be connected at cost,’ said Mr William Okwir, Chairman of the Water User Committee in Abar West Parish.
He noted that 44 additional water points have been extended to nearby villages, including Omoyo Central, Omoyo North, and Lengi Awo Palyec North.
However, challenges remain. ‘Now the water is covering only seven villages in one parish. What about other parts of the sub-county without clean and safe water?’ asked Ms Eunice Atimango, female district councilor representing Ndhew Sub-County.
At Yivu Secondary School, students described the difficulty of fetching water from wells and streams.
‘Waterborne diseases were rampant among our students because students were fetching water for cooking and for their own use from streams and wells in the valley,’ said Mr Modest Bandale, the school’s director of studies.
Head Girl Never Winny added, ‘It was inconvenient to fetch water from outside because we were expected to be in class at the time.’ The Head Prefect, Maurice Adrapi, said poor sanitation and personal hygiene were major challenges due to lack of clean water.
The Ministry of Water and Environment hailed the project as transformative for the region. ‘The solar-powered borehole is bringing new hope to rural communities, particularly for women and children who previously had to walk long distances for contaminated water,’ said Mr Noel Muhangi, senior public relations officer at the ministry.
Officials said the system is part of a plan to expand piped water access to more villages, aiming to improve livelihoods and reduce waterborne diseases that have affected the region for over 45 years.