Parts of the Acholi Sub-region have been experiencing scattered rainfall for the past three days, raising hopes among farmers eager to begin the first planting season after months of harsh dry spells.
Samuel Muchunguzi Rwakigooba, the Ntungamo District LC V chairperson, stated that the construction of the Kabingo Solar-Powered Water Project underscores the district's commitment to enhancing access to clean and safe drinking water for domestic use.
The district faces severe water shortages during the dry season as water levels drop down. At least only 65 percent of the population in Napak district has access to safe drinking water.
The worst-hit sub-counties include Matany, Lorengecora Town Council, Lopei, Lokopo, and Matany town council.
In his letter dated January 10th, 2025, Hajj Uthman Sebadduka, the Town Clerk Kitgum Municipal Council revealed that the council has observed that despite repeated warnings, some farmers continue to cultivate crops within the prohibited zone. The council has now set a deadline for these farmers to remove their crops and vacate the area to avoid any further action.
Geoffrey Ouni, the general secretary Irrigation Water User Association and a farmer at the irrigation scheme attributed the farmer’s low uptake of the project to rat infestation and flooding of the farmland.
Kevin Joyce Atim, the female Councilor for Central and Pager Division in Kitgum Municipality however expressed concerns about the lack of clear guidelines from the Ministry of Water on the implementation of the project in the district.
Vital ecosystems are under threat because of severe droughts and rising temperatures. That’s why on World Environment Day, the UN is calling for a global movement to restore lands, combat drought, and halt desertification.
The Longoromit water facility, now dry and surrounded by cultivated land, is the first to undergo rehabilitation. Other dams scheduled for rehabilitation include Kobebe in Moroto, Arechek in Napak, Kaomeri in Abim, and Kailong in Kotido.
For instance, the Longoromit water facility that is now under rehabilitation dried off completely and the community had cultivated around its water catchment area.
The bank says Uganda needs 3-4 billion dollars for climate finance in the next ten years but that money is not flowing as expected. It says the private sector has contributed only 26 million dollars or 3.4%.
Fredrick Ssenyondo, the Secretary of the Busoga Farmers Society and a direct beneficiary of the project reports that the irrigation system broke down within a year of installation and has never been fully repaired.
Abdu Kamoga the Isingiro District Environment Officer, says that the wetland is one of the fragile ecosystems in the district that has been encroached on and destroyed by people who are cultivating their crops.
Otto surrendered himself to the Aswa River Region Police Headquarters in Gulu City on Monday morning, and after hours of recording statements, he was released on police bond.
The National Water and Sewerage Cooperation manager in the area, Denis Muramuzi, says that the heavy rains have caused floods to submerge the system in the water pump house, leading to the use of a water pump generator to pump the floods out on an hourly basis.
The Ministry of Water and Environment issued a directive in February this year banning the issuance of documents facilitating the commercial production and transportation of charcoal and forest products in the region, following the escalating charcoal business that has resulted in the destruction of a large swathe of the natural environment.
Ambrose Olaa, the institution's Prime Minister however said the civic response in protecting the environment must be sustained as no other mechanism seems to be working for the region.
The five years MOU that was signed Friday in Gulu City will see collaboration between the Ministry and Kijani Forestry in establishing a mechanism for the implementation of forestry and biomass conservation activities.
Justine Kidega, the LCIII Chairperson of Unyama Sub-county says it’s not sustainable to enforce the directives in Gulu district alone when other districts in the region are still issuing movement permits for charcoal.
According to Anywar, whereas other districts in the greater Sub-region passed ordinances banning the trade in Charcoal in 2015, Gulu didn’t despite the fact that the district security committee imposed a total ban on the commercial charcoal trade.
James Ogwal Odyang, the Apoi Sub County LC III Chairperson, says that the bylaw is intended to stop the influx of people in charcoal burning and reduce tree cutting. He says that plans are underway to distribute 10,000 tree seedlings to residents to mitigate climate change.
