Dry spell forces Teso families to trek miles for water

The ongoing dry spell has left several districts in Teso grappling with the harsh realities of climate change, with communities now sharing water wells with domestic animals due to the scarcity of clean and safe water.

In Katakwi district, Magoro sub-county in Toroma County is among the hardest hit, with a population of about 10,000 facing severe water shortages. Many water wells used by herders have dried up, leaving both people and animals dependent on the few remaining functional boreholes.

Residents must now walk long distances to fetch water, which, in many cases, is unsafe for consumption. Joseph Oluka, a concerned youth from Apuuton village, expressed his distress, citing the risk of waterborne diseases as humans and animals now share the same water sources.

"The effects of climate change have become undeniable, with unpredictable rainfall patterns unlike in the past when farmers could confidently predict the seasons," Oluka noted.

Many water wells used by herders have dried up, leaving both people and animals dependent on the few remaining functional boreholes.

He attributed the worsening situation to rampant bush burning and deforestation, which have led to decreased rainfall and the displacement of families.

"All our wells that we used to take our animals have dried, and now we are forced to bring animals to the same boreholes where people fetch water. This problem is caused by the community itself. Magoro is well known for bush burning and deforestation. If people understood the consequences and stopped these activities, it could be a lasting solution," Oluka said.

Beyond water scarcity, the crisis has fuelled an increase in domestic violence cases, as women are forced to trek long distances in search of water. Oluka fears for future generations if deforestation in Teso and across Uganda continues unchecked.

"If this is what we are facing now, what will the next generation go through? I wish people would develop a genuine love for our environment, and I urge government agencies to enforce strict laws against environmental destruction," he added.

Uganda’s National Environment Act grants every citizen the right to a healthy environment and mandates the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to take action against individuals or entities responsible for environmental degradation.

The water crisis has also severely impacted Serere district, exacerbating domestic violence in affected communities. In Olumot village, Odapakol parish in Pingire County, over 200 households rely on a single borehole, which they must share with livestock.

A picture of a burnt bush in Magoro sub-county Katakwi district.

Solomon Ongole, the LC1 chairperson, voiced his concern over how long the challenge has persisted, noting that many families have broken apart due to the strain of water shortages.

Proposed solutions

To address the water crisis, herdsmen in Katakwi are calling on the government to construct valley dams, as the few available boreholes are insufficient for both livestock and human needs.

Francis Aruo, the LCIII chairperson of Magoro subcounty, urged the community to stop harmful environmental practices to help mitigate the crisis.

"It might seem like a small issue now, but in the future, we will suffer even more. I urge my people to become the key protectors of the environment because it is through this that we can live sustainably," Aruo cautioned.

Uganda’s environmental laws require individuals to plant at least five trees before cutting down any, a measure that could offer a lasting solution in the fight against climate change both nationally and globally.