Kobebe, Arecek dams to end conflicts in Karamoja
Jun 06, 2011
OVER 5,000 Karimojong herders in Moroto and Napak districts will have sufficient water for their livestock following the completion of Kobebe and Arecek multi-purpose dams.
By Olandason Wanyama
OVER 5,000 Karimojong herders in Moroto and Napak districts will have sufficient water for their livestock following the completion of Kobebe and Arecek multi-purpose dams.
The contractors handed over Kobebe dam in Moroto and Arecek dam in Napak to Sottie Bamukama, the officer in charge of water development at the Ministry of Water and Environment, on Thursday.
Bamukama later handed over the dams to the respective district local governments on behalf of the ministry.
The handover was witnessed by the local community, local government and water ministry officials.
Speaking at the function, Bamukama said: “The Karimojong, from time immemorial, have not had water for their livestock, which has caused a lot of tension among the communities.
“The new dams will provide a dependable source of water for the animals and for irrigation of crops.â€
For over 40 years, Bamukama said, the Karimojong have been trekking to Teso and Acholi areas in search for pasture and water, but with the dams, competition for the previously scarce resource would reduce.
“Reliable water for animals will translate into children attending school instead of looking after animals,†Bamukama said.
He advised the two local governments to recruit caretakers of the facilities to avoid mismanagement.
Napak district chairperson Joseph Lomonyang, commended the Government “for remembering the Karimojongâ€.
“Several Karimojong have been rescued from chronic resource conflict in the sub-region,†he said.
Lomonyang commended the contractors for completing Arecek dam on time.
He warned communities living around the dam against mismanaging the facility. “This is our dam and we should protect it,†Lomonyang said.
According to the Government, construction of Kobebe and Arecek dams aimed at achieving sustainable development.
The facilities, according to the Government, will reduce vulnerability to shocks such as conflict, drought and poverty in Karamoja.
OVER 5,000 Karimojong herders in Moroto and Napak districts will have sufficient water for their livestock following the completion of Kobebe and Arecek multi-purpose dams.
The contractors handed over Kobebe dam in Moroto and Arecek dam in Napak to Sottie Bamukama, the officer in charge of water development at the Ministry of Water and Environment, on Thursday.
Bamukama later handed over the dams to the respective district local governments on behalf of the ministry.
The handover was witnessed by the local community, local government and water ministry officials.
Speaking at the function, Bamukama said: “The Karimojong, from time immemorial, have not had water for their livestock, which has caused a lot of tension among the communities.
“The new dams will provide a dependable source of water for the animals and for irrigation of crops.â€
For over 40 years, Bamukama said, the Karimojong have been trekking to Teso and Acholi areas in search for pasture and water, but with the dams, competition for the previously scarce resource would reduce.
“Reliable water for animals will translate into children attending school instead of looking after animals,†Bamukama said.
He advised the two local governments to recruit caretakers of the facilities to avoid mismanagement.
Napak district chairperson Joseph Lomonyang, commended the Government “for remembering the Karimojongâ€.
“Several Karimojong have been rescued from chronic resource conflict in the sub-region,†he said.
Lomonyang commended the contractors for completing Arecek dam on time.
He warned communities living around the dam against mismanaging the facility. “This is our dam and we should protect it,†Lomonyang said.
According to the Government, construction of Kobebe and Arecek dams aimed at achieving sustainable development.
The facilities, according to the Government, will reduce vulnerability to shocks such as conflict, drought and poverty in Karamoja.