Ongoing works at Kachung mini-lake in Agwata sub-county Dokolo district
By Simon Eluk
Lira
National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has secured a firm to construct a Shs3b water plant at Kachung mini-lake in Agwata sub-county Dokolo district.
The multi-billion project is being funded by the Government of Uganda through the Ministry of Water and Environment.
Gerazio Tukahirwa, the manager of the NWSC Lira area, disclosed that since the water supply plant for Lira district was commissioned in 1992 with a production capacity of six million liters per day, no major upgrade has been made.
Tukahirwa said the inadequate water supply has been compounded by the growing population of the City from 110,000 to 256,000 in the year 2020 when four administrative units; Adekokwok, Lira, Ngetta, and Iwal sub-counties were annexed to form Lira City.
However, the two-year project, if completed is expected to pump 17 million liters of water per day to serve the growing population in Lira in City that has been struggling with water in major areas.
“The demand [for water] has shot up to 11 million liters per day against the supply of nine million,’’ Tukahirwa said.
He added that although the upgrade of the water plant started in 2021, it was delayed by procurement of pumps, water pipes, and other projects.
He however disclosed that although a greater percentage of the upgrade was completed in 2022, and improved the water supply from 6 million to now 11 million liters of water per day, there is still a challenge.
“At the moment we are upgrading treatment plants, installing pumps, and upgrading pipe work inside the station. We expect to achieve 17 million liters per day when the Shs3b plant is installed,” Tukahirwa said.
Residents welcome upgrade
Patrick Okello, a resident of Boke ward in Lira City East Division, welcomed the development saying the process should be fast-tracked so that people are relieved from the water crisis.
He said the persistent problem is affecting domestic work and businesses among the population.
“It is good news to us and this time they should be truthful and walk the talking unlike before when they talked about the upgrade plan but nothing happened,” Okello said.
Ronnie Odur, another resident said because of the increasing population, the city has not had water for the last three weeks.
“Lira City now needs something bigger like a water storage facility that can serve the entire population,” Odur said.
Bob Oyuku Ojok, LC11, of Obutuwelo ward in Lira City West Division argued that the inadequate water supply has become a source of domestic violence among families.
According to Ojok, wives have been forced to look for water in faraway areas, which is breeding mistrust in their husbands who suspect their wives of infidelity.
He added that the inadequate water supply is also slowing businesses that hugely rely on water.
Miriam Okello, a resident of Angweta Angwet cell in Lira City, is excited that NWSC is addressing the persistent water supply, saying residents had resorted to unsafe water sources that could expose them to waterborne diseases.
Santo Okwir Obote, Local council chairperson of Angweta Angwet, wondered why the government took so long to address the problem of poor water supply in the City yet people pay water bills every month.
