Kapelebyong district local government has initiated plans to relinquish management of its protected water facilities to an area service provider.

This is a prerequisite of the new National policy Framework for Operation and Maintenance of rural water infrastructure in Uganda which was disseminated to sub county Chairpersons, Community development officers and district officials at the district hall on July 25, 2024.

The policy gives the users of water facilities the responsibility to contribute for operation and maintenance when the facility breaks down.

While disseminating the policy, Simon Peter Omalinga, the senior sociologist at the ministry of water and environment, highlighted that the framework requires the district establish a district water supply services board approved by council.

“The policy has been in operation but there has been low uptake by districts. The lower local governments must also establish the sub county water supply services boards,” Omalinga expressed.

According to him, the districts become authorities to manage the water services whose boards will work through an area service provider.

Isaac Odima, the District Water officer called the new O&M framework, a landmark end to rampant community conflicts in the management of water sources.

“We shall have to disseminate this framework to the communities. Let’s be ambassadors of this framework,” Odima echoed.

Representing the Chief Administrative Officer, Peter Alobai, the Clerk to Council challenged the extension officers to take the new O&M seriously.

Julius Simon Esele, the Assistant Resident District Commissioner, re-echoed the commitment of the National Resistance Movement to providing safe and clean water, before calling for team work for people to benefit.

“People should appreciate why you are employed. We shall arrest whoever sabotages government policies,” Esele warned.

By Emmanuel Opio

Communication Officer

Kapelebyong District Local Government