Leaders in Kapelebyong District have commended the efforts of the Soroti Catholic Diocese Integrated Development Organization (SOCADIDO) for its transformative work in improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions in communities, particularly in Acowa and Achinga Sub-counties. The organization’s interventions have significantly contributed to the declaration of several villages as Open Defecation Free (ODF).
Speaking during a mobilization meeting held at the Kapelebyong District Headquarters ahead of a monitoring visit by international partners, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Kapelebyong District, Shaineh Nelson, praised SOCADIDO for its continued commitment to improving sanitation levels in the district.
Shaineh noted that the district faces numerous development challenges due to its geographical and economic circumstances, which limit the government’s ability to address all community needs with the available resources.
“Kapelebyong is a hard-to-reach and hard-to-stay district,” Shaineh said. “As a government, we operate within a limited resource envelope which cannot solve all the problems within the district. However, the visibility and support of SOCADIDO are helping to improve sanitation and reduce cases of open defecation in our communities.”
SOCADIDO is implementing WASH projects across the district aimed at improving access to safe water and sanitation facilities in both schools and communities. Currently, the organization is implementing projects under WASH in Aakum – Acowa Primary School and Adepar Primary School funded by Atlas Copco and Just a Drop.
According to Wilbrod Amodoi, the WASH Project Officer at SOCADIDO, the projects are designed to improve access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services while strengthening systems that ensure sustainable service delivery.
“Our goal is to ensure that schools and communities have reliable water sources, proper sanitation facilities, and improved hygiene practices,” Amodoi explained. “When communities understand the importance of sanitation, they become active participants in maintaining these facilities and sustaining the gains.”
The meeting was convened to prepare for a monitoring and partnership support visit by Just a Drop, scheduled to take place in Kapelebyong District from 16th to 21st March 2026. During the visit, representatives from the organization will engage with implementing partners working in the WASH sector, particularly SOCADIDO and Volunteer Action for Development (VAD).
The visit aims to review the progress of ongoing interventions, strengthen collaboration with district leadership and technical departments, and explore opportunities for improving coordination and impact in the WASH, health, and education sectors.
According to the proposed program, the visiting team will hold courtesy meetings on Wednesday, 18th March 2026 with the Chief Administrative Officer, the District Chairperson (LCV), and the Resident District Commissioner. The team will also meet the Community Development Officer to discuss issues related to health, education, and WASH services.
On Thursday, 19th March 2026, the delegation will hold separate meetings with district technical teams including the District Water Technical Team, the District Health Office, and the District Education Office. These discussions are expected to help the visiting team understand the district’s priorities and identify opportunities for strengthening collaboration with district structures.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kapelebyong District, Esele Simon, urged development partners implementing projects in the district to incorporate interventions that address social challenges such as early marriages.
He expressed concern over the rising cases of early marriages in the district, noting that many girls as young as 14 years have already become mothers due to irresponsible behavior by some young men.
“As partners implement development projects, it is important to integrate components that address early marriages and protect the rights of young girls,” Esele emphasized.
Vincent Oleumo, the LC1 Chairperson of Atirai Village in Acowa Sub-county, recalled the hardships residents previously faced in accessing safe water.
“Some time back, our women used to carry jerrycans on their heads and walk more than eight kilometers to fetch water,” Oleumo said. “But when SOCADIDO came in, people can now access clean and safe water near their homes.”
The improved water access has strengthened hygiene practices both at household and school levels. According to community leaders, nearly every household in the village now has a handwashing facility.
Before the intervention, hygiene and sanitation coverage in Atirai Village was estimated at between 25 and 38 percent. Today, the village has been officially declared Open Defecation Free by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Water and Environment.
Village Health Team member Imalingat Edith testified that the improvements have already reduced disease outbreaks within the community.
“In the past, we had many cases of diarrhea because people practiced open defecation,” she explained. “But now with pit latrines and improved hygiene practices, such cases have reduced. Families are saving money that used to be spent on treating diseases like typhoid and malaria and using it for other productive work.”
District leaders believe that continued collaboration between government and development partners like SOCADIDO will further improve sanitation standards and overall livelihoods in Kapelebyong.
They expressed optimism that the upcoming visit by Just a Drop will strengthen partnerships and support the scaling up of WASH interventions across more communities in the district.
It’s such a fruitful interaction.