By Mike Rwothomio

Efforts to rehabilitate dormant boreholes in Zombo District have unleashed a surge of joy and optimism among local communities.

These once-dry wells, long abandoned, had left residents parched and vulnerable to waterborne diseases due to the absence of reliable, clean water sources.

Norbert Okello, an aspirant for the Okoro County MP seat, has been a driving force behind this initiative, channeling resources from NGOs and well-wishers following a comprehensive watershed assessment.

The first phase targets eight idle boreholes, with restoration efforts already flowing into Ngia Village, Abeju Parish, Nyapea Sub-County.

In an interview with this publication, Okello explained, "We launched this initiative after evaluating the severe challenges people face due to the scarcity of clean water"

The restoration kicked off on April 10, 2025, marking a turning point for the Ngia village, Abeju Parish, Nyapea Sub-County.

He pledged that the project, currently focused on Nyapea, Abanga, and Zombo Town Council, will expand across other lower local government units in Okoro County, aligning with his mission to ensure equitable access to safe water.

This effort is set to bolster the district’s water coverage, which currently stands at 87 percent, with a functionality rate of 79 percent.

For communities that have endured years of water scarcity, this development is a refreshing tide of progress.

Galdhino Angala, the LCI Chairperson of Ngia Village, praised Okello, the mastermind behind the initiative, for resuscitating a borehole that had been out of service for over three years.

The restoration kicked off on April 10, 2025, marking a turning point for the village.

Loise, a resident of Ngia Village, expressed her delight at the restored water point, noting its timeliness amid the risks posed by contaminated water sources.

"Okello will be a strong leader who can advocate for our poor roads once elected," she added optimistically.

Okello Norbert, a social worker spearheading the revival, emphasized that This is about service delivery.

Jerose Thongeya, a 65-year-old from Ngia Village, recounted a harrowing experience with an unsafe water source, breathing a sigh of relief as the borehole’s revival promises a safer alternative.

Rehabilitation work has also begun in Nyapea, Zombo, and Abanga sub-counties, with each borehole restoration averaging over 400,000 shillings.

Zombo District hosts 1,472 domestic water points, serving a predominantly rural population of 273,138. However, access varies widely—ranging from 56% in Athuma Sub-County to 95% in Jangokoro Sub-County—while 308 water points have remained non-functional for over five years, classified as abandoned by the Ministry of Water and Environment.

Okello, a social worker spearheading the revival, emphasized, "This is about service delivery."

His efforts complement the district’s ongoing projects, including the construction of 20 new boreholes in Atyak, Kango, Jangokoro, and Abanga sub-counties.

According to the Ministry of Water and Environment, over UGX 3 billion has been allocated to Zombo District in the past four years to support the establishment and maintenance of water infrastructure.

As Okello campaigns for the Okoro County seat on the NRM ticket, he joins a competitive field including incumbent MP Gabriel Okumu, Sam Kumakech, Denis Orera, and Joseph Sabiti, all vying for the party’s nomination in the coming months. 

For now, his work to restore these vital water lifelines is making waves, promising a sustainable future for Zombo’s residents.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at Zoomer Africa.