In 2019 out of 540 water sources in Amuru district 105 were nonfunctional leaving locals to trek long distances in search of clean safe water for both domestic use and drinking.

Long trekking hours for water exposed girls to a much greater risk of teenage pregnancy, as on their way they were targeted by young men for unprotected sex.

Leaving Pabbo and Lamogi sub-county with the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the county, at 16% and 19% respectively.

The Amref project known as Piwa Maleng project has increased access to clean and safe water by repairing 32 non-functioning boreholes in Lamogi in tandem with delivering community education on healthy water.

The 2.5 Euros project of Piwa Maleng, which aimed at increasing access to safe water in 18 schools and 62 villages has improved sanitation and reduced the water borne diseases in the Amuru district.

Lamwaka Doreen resident of Jimo village in Lamogi sub-county Amuru district testified how her family is living a healthy life because of the tap water connected to her compound.

She said that the panic and burden of trekking long distances looking for unsafe water from unprotected wells, and streams have become stories.

She noted that the money she used to spend on treating his family for water-borne diseases has drastically reduced.

Odoch Charles the head teacher of Jimo primary school, one of the schools that benefited from the Piwa Maleng project appreciated the project.

He noted that the latrine embedded with washrooms and changing rooms for girls has improved the girl’s education and has improved the girl’s enrolment and contact hours with teachers specifically lesson attendants by girls.

He committed to taking charge of and protecting the project against vandalism from the community and other bad people.

Nicholas Obonyo the project officer of Amref Uganda said that the project has given a new direction in terms of water coverage in Amuru.

The project has also conducted a hydrogeological survey to ascertain the 18 boreholes to be drilled and rehabilitated.

It has also developed a pipe network to connect water to 18 schools and 62 villages. It has seen 60 water kiosks constructed in villages and rural growth centers.

Access to safe clean water is mandatory, but locals still trek long distances in search of clean and safe drinking water which exposes them to water bone diseases as a result of drinking unsafe drinking water from dirty and unprotected water sources.