Otuke, Uganda | International Lifeline Fund (ILF), with support from Charity Water and in partnership with the Government of Uganda, has commissioned a rehabilitated borehole and two blocks of drainable latrines at Aleri Primary School in Olilim Sub-county, Otuke District, in a move aimed at improving access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene services.
The facilities, comprising a rehabilitated borehole and two five-stance latrine blocks, were commissioned on Thursday, June 11, under the C:W 640 Project.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, ILF Principal Engineer John Okumu said the organisation has made significant strides in improving water and sanitation services in the district since 2022.
Okumu said ILF has constructed and rehabilitated 84 water facilities and built eight sanitation blocks comprising 40 stances across Otuke District through its partnership with Charity Water and the Government of Uganda.
He noted that during the 2025/26 financial year alone, the organisation drilled five new boreholes and rehabilitated seven others while promoting a market-based sanitation approach involving private sector players, trained masons and sanitation promoters to improve hygiene standards in communities.
Okumu said that beginning July 2026, ILF will shift its focus towards rehabilitating existing water sources and constructing sanitation facilities in line with guidance from district authorities.
He, however, raised concerns over poor maintenance of sanitation infrastructure in schools, the absence of a health assistant in Olilim Sub-county, and increasing numbers of new settlers who are not complying with sanitation requirements.
He called for intensified sensitisation campaigns and strict enforcement of sanitation bylaws to safeguard public health and ensure sustainability of the investments.
ILF Country Director Finance & Operations Bryan Mukago said the organisation’s interventions have improved access to clean water and sanitation through the construction of boreholes and school toilet facilities.
Mukago said the projects were designed to benefit communities and that local residents had been entrusted with maintaining the facilities to ensure long-term sustainability. He credited the Government of Uganda for its continued support and collaboration, which has enabled the organisation to promote health, hygiene, and sanitation across the district.
Otuke District Deputy Chief Administrative Officer James Ingoi commended ILF for complementing government efforts in service delivery, noting that limited district resources make it difficult to provide all essential services.
He urged both lower and higher local government leaders to ensure that facilities provided by development partners are protected and properly maintained.
Ingoi also tasked School Management Committees (SMCs) and Parents Teachers Associations (PTAs) with mobilising communities to contribute towards maintenance of the facilities, including provision of sanitation materials such as toilet paper.
He said the facilities were established to improve sanitation, hygiene and learning conditions and challenged the school administration to utilise them effectively to enhance academic performance.
Otuke Resident District Commissioner Eric Masiga reiterated President Yoweri Museveni’s commitment to fighting corruption and urged residents to embrace government wealth creation programmes.
Masiga noted that while government is responsible for providing development infrastructure, citizens must actively participate in wealth creation initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM). He encouraged beneficiaries of livestock restocking programmes to invest wisely and take good care of public facilities.
He also assured ILF of continued government support in implementing development interventions in the district.
Meanwhile, the district LCV Chairperson Francis Abola expressed concern over prolonged dry conditions that have affected crop production despite a promising start to the planting season.
Abola warned that the district could face food shortages if the dry spell persists and said he would engage the Office of the Minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees, Hon. Sam Engola, on possible interventions.
He applauded ILF for improving access to water and sanitation services and urged teachers and learners at Aleri Primary School to maximise the benefits of the new facilities.
Otuke District Water Engineer Joel Okello said six organisations are currently supporting water-related interventions in the district, including ILF, Link To Progress, Love Mercy Foundation, JF Well Africa and CO2 Balance.
However, he noted that maintenance remains a major challenge, with some facilities lacking protective fencing and soak pits, which affects their sustainability.
The newly commissioned facilities form part of 12 boreholes drilled and rehabilitated and two latrine blocks comprising 10 stances constructed by ILF under the C:W 640 Project this year.
District leaders and community members pledged to safeguard the facilities to ensure that they continue benefiting learners and surrounding communities for years to come.
