By Mulengera Reporters
Residents in three sub-counties in Arua District have decried the shortage of clean water. Currently, the district has safe water coverage of 51 percent, which is far below the national average of 65. The most hit sub-counties are Ajia, Logiri and Vurra which have safe water coverage of 42% and 43% respectively.
The Assistant District Water Officer, Mercy Letaru says that some areas and primary schools totally lack access to clean water forcing learners to use water from the streams and other dirty water sources which is harmful to their health. She says the situation has been worsened by the breakdown of boreholes, especially in Ajia and Arivu sub-counties.
Florence Asibazuyo, a resident of Chiaba village in Logiri Sub County explains that the water crisis has not only exposed them to water-related diseases but putting their lives at risk because they are forced to walk for more than 4 kilometers to a swamp.
“We are afraid about the safety of our young girls especially when they go and fetch water from the stream”, she noted.
She noted that if there are no immediate interventions, more people in the area will continue to die as a result of waterborne diseases.
Boniface Okuonzi, a resident of Ajia Sub County has appealed to the district leaders to intervene such that women don’t travel long distances in order to access water.
Okuonzi, adds that they have written to the district several times requesting intervention, but there hasn’t been any response.
“Our people are really suffering with the problem of water problem. Let our leaders help us and construct for us a borehole here such that women don’t go far looking for water”, he said.
Sandra Ewacabo, the Assistant Chief administrative officer notes that they are aware of the challenge but the district is constrained with resources to improve the coverage of safe water.
According to records at the District Water Department, the district has 662 improved water sources of which 197 are deep bore halls, 107 shallow wells, and 76 protected springs-URN (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [whatsapp line], 0779411734 & 0200900416 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).