Uproar as  thugs  vandalized  Multi-dollar  water facility in Zombo

By Mike Rwothomio

Unknown thieves have dismantled and stole  some parts of an established water equipments  constructed by government of Uganda,  in collaboration with  UK company Nexus green, Zeu Sub-County Zombo district.

Locals suspect the November 11, wee hours act was orchestrated  by the unscrupulous night lifers , who were heading  back home from night discos.

The  Multi- million water  project is  situated at Lor-Ora village, Lor central Parish, Zeu Sub-County, Zombo district.

Roy Masendi, the district councillor of Zeu Sub-County,  confirmed the incident, rallying community to assist with any information that can lead to the arrest of the culprits.

He also appealed to government to commission the facility, such that community takes it’s full charge.

” We the community of Zeu Sub-County are so disappointed in what happened here, some unknown people vandalized the water equipment installed here, and went away with some parts like Water metre,  we call upon people to be on the look out so that we arrest them” Masendi told this Publication in a interview

Community Outcry

The vandalism of  the established water  infrastructure in the area has exacerbated  widespread disruption in water supply to the rural community of Zeu Sub-County.

” We have already started utilizing water here, breaking and dismantling the equipment means we are not going to have water for sometimes” Masendi added 

Rose Acanda, a resident of Lor trading center said” we used to struggle to get water from far off areas, now we have it at our doorstep and someone want to take us back”

The project that awaits commissioning  includes establishment of a pump house, water system, guard house, fencing, toilet facilities, and two 200-million-liter water tanks, amongst  other critical infrastructure,  valued at about Ugx 700  million.

The coming in of the  project has brought a pipe hope to   the local community in Zeu , that for ages  relied on unprotected water sources, exposing them to numerous  health-related complications.

Francis Bolingo, the district councillor of Athuma sub county, who sits on the district production committee, regrets the incident, appealing for robust security at the multi-dollar project.

Meanwhile,  Bruno Mananu Obomba, the assistant resident district commissioner of Zombo, affirmed of the intensive ongoing inquiry into the matter.

” There is already an investigation ongoing and those who are responsible will be brought to book. When anything so unfortunate of that kind happen, we can’t really tolerate that because that is a facility that is already helping the community” Mananu told this Publication in a telephone conversation.

But Officials from Nexus green, were  unreachable  for a comment by press time.

Leaders have expressed  deep concerns,  noting such  acts not only disrupt essential services but also incur unnecessary expenses, diverting resources that could otherwise improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities in other parts of the district.

Aside from  financial burden, vandalism jeopardizes public health and safety, causing inconvenience.

In a bid to increase access to clean and safe  Water and Sanitation, the ministry of water and environment with support from  Development Facility-North is extending   piped Water Supply and Sanitation Facilities in Zombo town council, Zombo district

According to ministry of water and environment, water  access rates in Zombo vary from 56 % in Athuma Sub-County to 95 % in Jangokoro Sub-County. Zombo has 1,472 domestic water points which serve a total of 273,138 people – 227,004 in rural areas. 308 water points have been non-functional for over 5 years and are considered abandoned. Zombo has 8 piped schemes.