Stephen Lukwiya Gang, the Gulu Area Manager National Water disclosed in an interview with Uganda Radio Network on Friday that the entity is suffering losses with such illegal connections.
LAbout 539.3 hectares of the total 1,012 hectares of wetland in Kwania is already encroached on by residents. The leaders are also accusing LCI Chairpersons of frustrating efforts in the fight against encroachment on wetlands.
The committee chairperson Syda Bbumba noted with concern that a number of projects have stalled despite the loans being approved and this was as a result of delays by government to release funds.
Pamela Akello, a site Agronomist at the irrigation scheme acknowledges the challenges faced by the farmers, saying it had a devastating effect on the projected sale of crops after harvest in the last season.
Franco Ojok, a resident of Rom Village in Koro Sub County said that they draw water for drinking and domestic uses from Ali, Abac, Otim Lagina unprotected springs due to absence of a borehole in the area.
Andrew Ddamba Gwabali, the Uganda Total E&P Environment and Diversity Field Officer says that some of the sites pending restoration are hosting studies in preparation for oil production. In such areas, new boreholes have been drilled for detailed studies on underground waters (aquifers).
