Family in Nakapiripirit Blocks Water Project over Lack of Compensation

More than 1,000 households in Nakapiripirit town council do not have access to clean water after a family blocked a water project by the Ministry of Water.

The family is accusing the ministry of drilling a pump into their land without their consent.

Alfred Lowanyang the landowner says that in 2008, the Ministry of Water with Nakapiripirit town council officials trespassed on his one-acre piece of land without compensation. 

"I have been patient from 2008 when the team from the ministry of water trespassed on my land and deceived me they would compensate me but up to date nothing I have gained, “Lowanyang said.

Moses Mudong a brother to Lowanyang says that residents will not be allowed to access the water pump until his family compensated. 

In 2008 the Ministry of Water under the Urban Water Supply project injected 1.9 Billion Shillings to construct and install the water system which has been supplying water to the town council. The system was being managed by the Karamoja water umbrella.

Moses Lokiru a resident of Nakapiripirit town council said the town council and the ministry of water have deliberately refused to compensate the landowner.

Philips Lodumoe the town clerk of Nakapiripirit town council says that he had tried to invite the team from the Karamoja Water Umbrella Organization and the landowners for a meeting in vain.

"This issue would have not reached this level, I called the team from the ministry of water for the dialogue meeting with the landowners but they have been declining my calls," he said

Patrick Ocero the manager of the Karamoja water umbrella organization when contacted declined to comment on the matter. 

Betty Tebakol a resident of Nakapiripirit town council however said although the landowners have blocked the pumping of water in their land many families have not been benefiting from the system. She said the system instead had made many families poor due to faulty water meters.

"Some of us left using that piped water because the meters seem to be faulty because we were overbilled," She said.