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.
The gold mine was shut down in April 2024, just weeks after its discovery, due to a series of issues. Since then, security forces have been guarding the site, preventing public access.
Cosmas Ayepa, the Moroto District Secretary for Social Services, noted that the district leadership is only involved during the groundbreaking ceremonies, after which the central government takes control. He explained that the lack of information has made it difficult to monitor these projects.
The project is supported by the Italian government through the Karamoja Infrastructure Development Project II (KIDP II). Works are expected to be completed in eighteen months.
On the 9th of January 2025, a group of suspected Karamojong armed warriors attacked the herders at Pian-Upe Game Reserve and killed two juveniles before raiding 500 heads of cattle. The juveniles killed were identified as Lod aged 14 and Pulkol aged 16 years while Isaac Karimok, aged 18 was severely injured.
To date, security forces have impounded 8,487 bags of charcoal across Karamoja, which have been handed over to the National Forestry Authority (NFA) for further management. They also intercepted 8,029 jerrycans of illicit waragi and 7,900 jerrycans have been disposed of on court orders.
Godfred Eyoku
