By Aggrey Baba
For over a decade, the people of Te-Obwolo Village in Lira City East Division lived with a painful reality, sharing dirty water with animals, watching their children fall sick, and pleading with leaders for help that never came.
But as the wise say, a true leader is known by the footprints they leave behind. When others turned a blind eye, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero, the Woman MP for Lira City and Minister of Health, saw their suffering and took action.
On Monday, the village erupted in joy as Dr. Aceng officially handed over a rehabilitated protected spring, funded entirely from her personal resources. More than 800 households in Te-Obwolo ‘A’ and ‘B’ can now fetch clean water, free from disease and the indignity of drinking alongside animals.
Speaking at the commissioning event, Fredrick Opito, the area LCI Chairperson, could not hide his gratitude. “For years, we knocked on many doors, but all we got were empty promises. Dr. Aceng, however, did not just listen, but she acted. She has saved our people from dirty water and diseases.”
The joy was echoed by Leone Okello, a resident, who said this water source is a huge relief. “We used to walk long distances to fetch clean water, but today, our struggle has ended. This gift will serve not just Te-Obwolo but also neighboring areas like Bar-Acaci and Agali.”
Even the Assistant Resident City Commissioner (RDC), Bonny Otucu, sounded a warning against dishonest individuals tampering with boreholes and claiming credit for repairs they never made. He praised Dr. Aceng for her selfless service, calling on other leaders to follow her example.
In her speech, Dr. Aceng revealed that it was a heartbreaking video of people drawing water from a dirty source that moved her to act. She pledged to do even more, announcing plans to drill a borehole in Te-Obwolo A to meet the growing demand for clean water.
But while the people celebrated Dr. Aceng’s generosity, their anger was directed at City East MP, Jimmy Akena. Residents accused him of neglecting their needs while focusing on his presidential ambitions. “We have suffered under weak representation,” one resident lamented. “No roads, no electricity, no services. But come 2026, we know where our vote will go.”
They also had strong words for Minister Betty Amongi, warning her to stop interfering in Lira politics. “Let her go back to Oyam South and prove what she has done there. Here in Lira, we stand with Dr. Aceng,” they declared.
As Dr. Aceng arrived at the site, prayers filled the air. The community, hands raised in blessing, asked God to grant her long life to continue serving them. For them, she is not just a leader, but ‘Ceng Atedero’, a mother to the people, a beacon of hope.
The lesson to learn here is that [When a leader serves from the heart, the people will never forget]. And in Lira City, the name Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng will be remembered, not just in words, but in the fresh, clean water that now flows for generations to come. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).
