Tap Water Turns Acholi Villagers into Entrepreneurs: How a Simple Pipeline is Creating Cash and Opportunity in Pader district, Northern Uganda

By Ben Musanje

Life in Purang A Village and other neighbouring villages in Puranga Town Council in Pader District, Acholi Sub Region in Northern Uganda was once a daily struggle.

Men and women trekked long distances, sometimes up to two kilometers to fetch water from springs and boreholes. Walking under the scorching sun or in the dead of night, fetching water often took hours. Tempers flared, arguments were frequent, and incidents of domestic violence were common.

But in July this year, everything changed. The installation of the Puranga Gunya and Puranga Cell solar-powered water supply schemes, a €267,722 project managed by Nexus Green under the Ministry of Water and Environment, brought clean tap water directly to the village. Residents can now fill a cup and walk away within minutes.

For 41-year-old mother of three and resident of Puranga A village, Puranga Town Council, Rose Akumu, the change has been life-altering. Standing at the tap, with a smile on her face, she described how water has become more than a relief m, it’s a business opportunity.

“Every day, I sell water (which is unboiled) by the jerrican. With two jerricans, I make 10,000 shillings daily. Even after expenses, I can save for my children’s school fees. My daughter, Dina Adeke, 13, also sells water. Last month, she saved 300,000 shillings from this business alone,” Akumu said.

She has used her water profits to start other ventures, including selling cassava and making passion fruit juice. The water business has become a family affair, with her daughter running daily operations, freeing Akumu to focus on other income streams.

For local resident at Laminawoto village, Puranga Town Council, Kassim Can Onen, the new taps have transformed daily life.

“Before, we spent hours fetching water, sometimes until 10 PM or even midnight. People argued when someone was late. Now, I fetch water in minutes. Domestic violence has gone down. Even washing clothes is easier; we can do it almost every day instead of waiting weeks,” he said. He also called for more taps to meet the needs of the growing population.

Local authorities are equally enthusiastic. Robert Okwir, Puranga Town Clerk, said the water arrived “at the right time” for a community grappling with dry seasons and low water tables. He praised the project for saving time, reducing domestic violence, and enabling residents to focus on small businesses.

“People are even asking if we can extend water for irrigation and farming,” Okwir added, emphasizing the need to train water committees on operations, maintenance, and financial management to ensure long-term sustainability.

Mayor Francis Ojok of Puranga Town Council highlighted the broader impact of clean water on community development.

“This water comes after years of effort. It allows people to run businesses, grow food, and live healthier lives. We are grateful to the Ministry of Water and everyone involved in bringing this project to completion,” he said.

Engineer John Allan Obukulem from the Department of Water for Production in the Ministry of Water and Environment noted that the irrigation scheme in Lodel, which stalled years ago, would be revisited and completed to support local agriculture.

“We will follow up with the community, evaluate the structures, and plan resources so water can be used not only for domestic purposes but also for irrigation and farming,” he said.

The two projects, Puranga Gunya and Puranga Cell, now deliver 91.57 cubic meters of water per day to 2,323 people, cutting walking distances from up to 10 kilometers to less than 500 meters. The project also aims to reduce water-borne diseases by over 30 percent.

Residents like Akumu and Onen now live in a transformed community. Water is no longer a daily struggle, it is a source of income, opportunity, and peace.

Families can thrive, children can attend school, and households experience less conflict. What was once a fight for survival has become a story of hope, prosperity, and empowerment, proving that even something as simple as a tap can change lives forever. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).