Locations
AI generated photo showcasing women and children gathering at a water point in Karamoja
The demand for water has outpaced population growth, and half of the world’s population is already experiencing severe water scarcity at least one month a year. Water scarcity is projected to increase with the rise of global temperatures and the continued global uncertainties of climate change.
According to the African Development Bank, Uganda’s national average access to safe water is 63%, water coverage in the districts of Karamoja is less than 15% a percentage that needs to be increased if we are to achieve the global goals by 2030.
The Building Resilience in Conflict-Affected and Fragile Communities of Karamoja (BRICK) project, was launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) with the hope of improving water access in the districts of Kaabong, Kotido and Moroto. The project aims to enhance community resilience through the development of community-level water infrastructure for peace. This initiative is also part of UNDP's broader portfolio of resilience-building and socio-economic development in the Karamoja region.
With the overarching goal of improving the socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable households and promote peaceful co-existence within communities. The project also It focuses on providing gender-responsive, resilient livelihoods across the region.
As part of the project activities, UNDP conducted a comprehensive feasibility study which mapped existing water supply sources and provided detailed engineering designs for the establishment of piped water supply systems. These systems are strategically designed to utilize local groundwater resources and ensure long-term sustainability.
Photo collage showcasing some of the project works currently on the ground.
Project progress on the ground
On 12 and 13 February 2025 the UNDP team in collaboration with the district local governments leaders, local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and local communities conducted groundbreaking ceremonies for two water Supply Systems namely:
Lookorok Piped Water Supply System in Kotido District to serve 7,016 beneficiaries in -Lokwakil subcounty and nine villages and
Lokinene Water Supply System in Kaabong District to serve 3,019 in Timu subcounty and four villages.
In addition to the piped water systems, UNDP has drilled 6 boreholes across the three districts. These boreholes will provide clean water to approximately 2700 people.
The Member of Parliament for IKI County in Kaabong Hon. Hilary Lokwang (left) and Ms. Annet Mpabulungi Wakabi (right) at the groundbreaking for the construction of Lokinene water system
Beneficiary voices
Speaking at one of the groundbreaking ceremonies for the Lokinene piped water system the area Member of Parliament Hon. Hilary Lokwang thanked UNDP, KOICA and Warrior Squad for the water support, noting that it was the first piped water system in Lokinene subcounty.
The Resident District Commissioner of Kotido District Mr. Ichogor Charles and the Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Oola Donato also expressed gratitude for the water infrastructure and community engagement respectively, observing that it would impact on farming, sustainable livelihoods and social cohesion among the local communities.
In her remarks, the UNDP Team Leader Governance and Peace on behalf of the UNDP Resident Representative thanked all the stakeholders present at the two events for taking up great interest and commitment in the water project. Community members that offered their land for the water system were thanked and recognized for their generosity and selfless spirit that is going to benefit several community members.
The Senior Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Mr. Lukyamuzi Thomas Kaabong District requested the community Members to form a water user committee and ensure that once the water system was launched it should be well maintained for sustainable water access in the areas. He also asked the community members to cooperate with the constructor throughout the process of constructing the water system, to enable its timely finalization and launch.
The BRICK project will continue to expand its initiatives in the Karamoja region, ensuring that water infrastructure is integrated into the larger government frameworks of livelihood and peace-building strategies, with the aim of reaching vulnerable communities in the region. Further critical interventions such as Cash for Work, Skilling for the youth and Psychosocial support for the reformed warriors continues to be implemented.
By Raymond Mukisa, Project Manager BRICK Project.