Ms Betty Akidi another resident of Oruwamuge village said the clean water will now improve the health situation of the people of Lotuke Sub county.
Residents of Lotuke sub county in Abim district, Karamoja sub region have finally got access to clean water after several decades of sharing water sources with animals.
The population of 11,000 people celebrated on Saturday after commissioning of 1.5 billion shilling piped water project installed by the ministry of water and Environment in the area.
Speaking to URN Ms. Jenifer Awili a resident of Awac village in Awac sub county county they have got access to clean water at the right time when they needed water most.
“When have been walking 12 kilometers to collect water at the boreholes which is also being shared with animals," she said.
Ms Betty Akidi another resident of Oruwamuge village said the clean water will now improve the health situation of the people of Lotuke Sub county.
“We have been suffering due to lack of access to clean water, some of us have suffered being raped by armed cattle rustlers while walking for along distance to get clean water," she said.
Ms Grace Angolere a mother and a resident of Lotuke village said, "We have had scenarios where we have shared water sources with animals. You have to first chase away the animals before drawing the dirty water.”
Ms Joyce Nakia the district women councilor for Lotuke and Awac sub counties hailed government for the clean water saying the water crisis in the sub county had contributed domestic violence since most women could spend longer hours at the only single borehole as they queue for water.
"The sub county had many boreholes but many of them dried up due to the scorching drought leaving on two boreholes for the whole sub county," he said.
Mr. Johnson Opige the engineer in the ministry of water appealed the local community to own the project.
He said the project that cost government 1.5 billion shillings will supply clean piped water to 15 villages in Lotuke sub county.
"Today we are commissioning this water project so protect it since it is a right for any human being to have access to clean water," he said.
According to Mr. Opige the water project is not only for domestic use but it has a component of irrigation where the farmers will be using it to increase agricultural production.
He noted that for the purpose of maintaining the water system, residents who will want to connect water to their homes will be required to pay shs 50,000 for connections and pay water bills per months while other outside community taps will be constructed at different points.
Mr. Hashaka Mpimbaza, the resident district commissioner Abim warned residents against vandalizing the water system.
End.
