By Chris Woo
Oyam, Uganda – Aweikwo Village in Alutkot Parish, Loro Sub County, Oyam District is celebrating the installation of a new borehole, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Oyam South MP Aspirant Patrick Ogwang Obura and Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda.
This significant development aims to address the urgent need for clean water in the community.
According to reports, the borehole was installed to boost the percentage of access to clean water for the people of Oyam, particularly in the Oyam South Constituency.
During the launch of the water project, Patrick Ogwang Obura, the aspiring candidate for the Oyam South area Member of Parliament, expressed his commitment to improving access to clean water.
He emphasized that the partnership with Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda is crucial in tackling challenges such as waterborne diseases, family conflicts, and school dropped out and absenteeism due to long distances to access clean water.
“Due to the overwhelming demand for water in this area, we thought it wise to bring this water point here to serve the community,” said Ogwang Obura. “This will go a long way in addressing the challenges arising from dirty water, family conflicts, and helping our children who have been abandoning schools due to long distances in accessing clean water.”
Looking ahead, Ogwang Obura revealed plans to continue lobbying for development partners to add more water points in the area.
This initiative aims to transition the community from relying on wells to using boreholes, and ultimately, tap water.
Justine Okello, Public Relations Officer of Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda, expressed gratitude to Ogwang for his collaboration.
Okello highlighted that Aweikwo Village was selected due to the severe water scarcity affecting the community.
He added that their plan and budget for 2025 includes drilling at least 20 new boreholes and rehabilitating over 100 existing ones in Oyam District.
Christine Nyana, Community Development Officer (CDO) of Loro Sub County, also praised the partnership, noting that it supplements government efforts in providing access to clean water.
She pointed out that water scarcity contributes to domestic violence and waterborne diseases, as a significant number of community members still share water with animals.
Nyana also disclosed that her office has registered numerous cases of sexual abuse, particularly involving women and children fetching water from distant sources.
Locals of Aweikwo Village expressed their sincere gratitude to Patrick Ogwang Obura and Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda for their collaborative efforts.
Geoffrey Okello, a 91-year-old elder, shared that the community has been suffering from waterborne diseases and has been relying on contaminated water for the past 25 years.
He hopes that the new borehole will bring an end to these issues and improve the community’s overall well-being.
Currently, the percentage of access to clean water in Oyam District stands at 72%, according to the water department.
The joint efforts between Patrick Ogwang Obura and Pioneer Evangelism Network Uganda have already resulted in the drilling of over four boreholes and the rehabilitation of many others in the Oyam South Constituency.
