With 83% water coverage to date,
it was worth commemorating World Water Day in Kitgum District. Kitgum District has
had steady increase in her water coverage from 52% in 2011 to 83% to date
reported by the District Water Officer Mr. Oryem Peter. This has been due to
the joint efforts by the district local government, development partners,
communities and the committed Ministry of Water and Environment to ensure
availability of water especially to the affected communities.
The day started with a joyful
match by school children, women groups, Village Health teams, partners, local
leaders joined Kitgum District Local Government to commemorate World Water Day
on 01/4/2015 at Rayamo Sub County Obem Primary school in Kitgum District.
Matching to commemorate
WWD
The Days Theme “A Good toilet is
a family Pride” “Water for sustainable development”; suited well
the communities of Kitgum District. Water and sanitation complements each other
and it is not optional for a household not to have a latrine said by Mr. Oryema.
Mr. Godfrey Byalugaba from
DWD/TSU-Lira thanked people of Kitgum and the committed development partners
and Kitgum district local government for the increasing water coverage 83%. He
however expressed concern on the high non functionality rate of 50% commenting
that if there was good O&M, coverage would almost be 100% in Kitgum.
Even though many important
people including politicians and non-politicians who can speak for more than an
hour attended, the commemoration comprised more of school children and
community members passing on information though music, dance and drama save for
the welcome remarks from area local council 1, brief speeches from the DWO,
representative from the Ministry of water and environment and the guest of
honour.
Songs and drama with WASH
messages on how an ideal homestead should look, proper operation and
maintenance of water points, sanitation facilities, proper handling of food and
appreciation for ODF status were presented by the communities.
I was very impressed by Kitgum Demonstration Primary school
children who exhibited their artwork of a model household (HH latrine with a
tippy tap, bathing shelter, drying rack, and trees) displayed during the
celebration. The art work used clearly tells their understanding of the
importance of a latrine and hand washing.
Artwork of a model HH
In his speech, the guest of honor
Mr. Amuti the acting RDC called upon people to develop a sense of ownership and
commitment in ensuring good operation and maintenance of the water facilities.
Siting the low latrine coverage of 40%, he advised those without a latrine to
go back and dig and construct latrines since a “good latrine is a family’s
pride”.
The day was crowned by awarding
certificates of recognition to outstanding performing partner organizations
that included Amref, World Vision, National water and Sewerage Corporation and Caritas,
handing over completed facilities to respective schools and communities, hand
over gifts to the 06 villages (Pali, Akado, Labworomor, Ocettoke North and
Pagen West) that were declared Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Handover of gifts by guest of
honor
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