Dokolo, Uganda | Local leaders in Dokolo District have expressed strong support for the Ministry of Water and Environment’s new approach to managing rural water systems through Community-Based Maintenance (CBM), a model designed to ensure the sustainability and functionality of water sources across the district.
The initiative, launched on the 22nd October, 2025 during a training for District Councilors at the Dokolo District Council Hall, aims to empower communities to take responsibility for maintaining boreholes and other rural water facilities through structured management systems.
Senior Sociologist Martin Nkurunungi from the Ministry of Water and Environment, representing the Lira Regional Office, said the CBM approach emphasizes financial sustainability and accountability at the grassroots level.
He explained that the Area Service Providers will be responsible for collecting user fees from water points and ensuring repairs whenever breakdowns occur, noting that this will reduce overreliance on external funding for maintenance.
He added that the Ministry has begun engagements with district leaders before extending the program to sub-counties for community sensitization and full rollout.
Nkurunungi also urged political leaders and stakeholders to strengthen monitoring and ensure that all water points remain functional.
District Water Engineer, Qunitos Opio, revealed that the district plans to drill six new boreholes, rehabilitate eight existing ones, and construct a piped water system in Bata Sub-county.
He appealed to leaders to mobilize communities to embrace and support the initiative, describing it as a vital step toward ensuring safe and reliable water access.
Several Councilors, including Bob Ogwal Daramoi of Bata Sub-county, Stephen Ogwang of Amwoma Sub-county, and Christopher Odwe, the Workers’ Representative, welcomed the program but requested that the Ministry also extend similar projects to town councils.
They noted that many residents in semi-urban areas still face water scarcity and depend on unsafe sources.
While closing the training, LCV Vice Chairperson and Agwata Sub-county Councilor, Tonny Odongo Ocen, commended the Ministry for selecting Dokolo among the beneficiary districts.
He pledged the district’s full support for the project, saying it offers communities a sense of ownership and responsibility over their water resources.
He encouraged all Councilors to roll out the program to their sub-counties and town councils to promote better water hygiene and sanitation practices.
The Community-Based Maintenance project is part of a broader national effort by the Ministry of Water and Environment to improve water sustainability and hygiene in nine districts across the Lango Sub-region, including Dokolo, Amolatar, Kwania, Oyam, Otuke, Lira, and Alebtong.
