Leaders in Kapelebyong District have applauded development partner Just a Drop (JAD) for working with Soroti Catholic Integrated Development Organization (SOCADIDO) and Voluntary Action for Development (VAD) to improve Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services across the district.
The appreciation was expressed during a district engagement meeting where leaders reviewed ongoing WASH projects, discussed district priorities and explored ways of strengthening collaboration to improve water coverage, maintenance and sustainability of water facilities in communities.
Speaking during the meeting, Kapelebyong District Water Officer Isaac Odiman said the district has greatly benefited from the partnership between the development organizations and the local government. He noted that the support has helped bridge gaps in water and sanitation services that government funding alone cannot adequately address.
Odiman explained that the district continues to face growing demand for safe water due to population growth and expanding settlements, yet the resources from the central government remain limited.
“As a district, we cannot fully meet all the demands of our population using the funds we receive from the central government. The support from our development partner Just A Drop through SOCADIDO and VAD has therefore been very crucial,” he said.
According to Odiman, the development partners have supported the construction of several safe water sources, installation of rainwater harvesting facilities in schools, repair of broken boreholes, construction of gender-sensitive latrines in schools and promotion of hygiene and sanitation practices in communities.
He further noted that community sensitization programs have also been conducted to promote good hygiene practices, including training on proper sanitation and menstrual hygiene management for school-going girls.
“Through these interventions, many communities now have improved access to safe water and sanitation facilities. Currently, water coverage in the district stands at about 80 percent, and much of this progress can be attributed to the continued support of our development partners,” Odiman added.
The Kapelebyong District Education Officer, Mr. Okengo Denis, also praised the organizations for their contribution to improving learning conditions in schools through enhanced WASH infrastructure.
He said the construction of improved sanitation facilities and the installation of rainwater harvesting systems in schools have significantly contributed to a better learning environment for pupils.
“Improved WASH facilities in schools have had a positive impact on the education sector in Kapelebyong. We have seen increased enrolment, improved hygiene among learners and better retention of girl children in schools,” Okengo explained.
He particularly emphasized the role of proper sanitation facilities in supporting the education of girls, noting that menstrual hygiene management programs and improved latrines have helped many girls remain in school.
Okengo cited Aakum–Acowa Primary School as an example where strong collaboration between the school, the community and development partners has contributed to improved school attendance and academic performance.
“At Aakum–Acowa Primary School, we have seen how continued partnership between the community and development organizations has created a healthier school environment. This has helped ensure that girls remain in school and learners perform better,” he said.
However, the District Education Officer noted that increased enrolment in many government-aided schools has also created new challenges, particularly the shortage of school furniture.
“With enrolment increasing in many schools, there is now a growing need for additional furniture such as desks and chairs. We therefore appeal to our development partners to consider supporting schools in this area as well,” Okengo added.
Meanwhile, Alfred Otworot, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at SOCADIDO, urged district leaders to strengthen coordination with development partners by involving them more actively in district planning processes.
He emphasized that including development partners in committee planning meetings would help ensure better alignment of interventions with district priorities and avoid duplication of efforts.
“For effective planning and implementation, it is important that development partners are involved in district committee planning meetings. This will enable proper coordination and ensure that resources are directed to the most pressing needs of the communities,” Otworot said.
The Kapelebyong district Secretary for Works Kamene Teddy Ajom who represented the LCV’s office in her remarks agreed that continued collaboration between the district local government and development partners will be key to sustaining the gains already made in improving water access, sanitation facilities and hygiene practices across Kapelebyong.
She reaffirmed the district commitment to working together to ensure that more communities and schools benefit from improved WASH services, ultimately contributing to better health, education and livelihoods for residents across the district.
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