Water and Sanitation Development Facility - Karamoja

PROGRESS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PIPED WATER SUPPLY IN KARAMOJA REGION

INTRODUCTION:

“Uganda Vision 2040 presents water development as a potential for stimulating social economic transformation”. The Vision emphasizes that, Government will construct and extend piped water supply and sanitation systems to all parts of the country to improve health, sanitation, hygiene and commercial set ups.

The Ministry of Water and Environment through the UWSSD is responsible for providing, operating and maintaining piped water supply and sanitation services in large towns, small towns and rural growth centers. This mandate is implemented via the Water and Sanitation Development Facility-Karamoja (WSDF-K) and the Umbrella of Water and Sanitation-Karamoja (UWS-K), which focus on investment development and management respectively. 

Water and Sanitation Development Facility Karamoja (WSDF-K) is a regional initiative under the Department that aims at delivering water and sanitation services in small towns and rural growth centers of the 9 districts of Karamoja.

The establishment of WSDF-K commenced on FY 2022/2023 and ending FY 2026/2027. This is a five year project which is fully funded by the Government of Uganda.

To enhance service delivery in the Karamoja region, the Ministry is currently constructing a three-storey office block in Moroto to accommodate all its Departments and Agencies.

WSDF-K achieves this through the following mechanisms;

• Constructing Piped water supply systems and Sanitation facilities in the small towns and Rural Growth Centers.

• Carrying out promotional campaigns aimed at improving latrine coverage, personal hygiene like hand washing after visiting latrine, and water source catchment protection and;

• Building capacities of Local Authorities and communities to sustainably operate and manage the investments.

• Sensitization of communities on water and sanitation to ensure their effective participation and ownership through meetings, home visits, radios, traditional and print media. 

COMPLETED PROJECTS

WSDF-K has successfully completed 11 piped water supply systems over the past few years. These completed projects have positively impacted approximately 400,000 individuals across 245 villages.

Additionally, WSDF-K working closely with Nexus Green completed and technically handed over 4 WSS namely Losilang WSS, Napumpum WSS in Kotido district, Lotirir WSS and Loputuk WSS Moroto district Umbrella of Water and Sanitation-Karamoja for O&M. Rehabilitated Amudat PWS in Amudat district and Abim PWS in Abim district. One system is awaiting commissioning; Iriiri in Napak district.

Details of completed projects under WSDF-K

ONGOING PROJECTS 

There are 4 running projects under construction, 3 water supply systems namely; Lorengecora Piped Water System in Napak District, Iriiri Piped Water Supply System in Napak district, Kakingol Gravity Water Supply System in Moroto district and a three storage office block in Moroto. This block will accommodate all departments and agencies of the Ministry.

The Ministry is also undertaking designs for 5 towns; 3 under consultancy (Lokitelaebu in Kotido, Oreta-Rogom in Abim, Kathile in Karenga) and 2 under internal designs (Nabilatuk and Alakas in Amudat), the review of all the design concepts is in progress.  

Details of ongoing projects in the region

PLANNED INTERVENTIONS

In a bid to improve access to clean water and sanitation inKaramoja region, we aim to develop and construct more water systems across the region. These planned projects are expected to have a significant impact on the lives of the community, improving their access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.

 Projects to be implemented in Karamoja under WSDF-K

 Challenges faced in the region.

➢ Low ground water potentials. Many areas are water stressed making it difficult to attain the required water yield to serve the community.

➢ High cost of water and sanitation Investment. The materials for construction and labor are high.

➢ High cost of power extensions and diesel for generators for pumping the water.

➢ Inadequate funding & irregular cash flows. This has delayed the facility from kick-starting new projects in the region and completing the ongoing projects on time.

➢ Difficulties in acquiring land.

➢ Vandalism

➢ High costs of management.