A Ripple of Change: Arechek Dam Reshapes Karamoja Community

In the heart of Karamoja, where the sun beats down with relentless intensity and the land stretches out in a vast, semi-arid expanse, the rhythm of life has long been dictated by the quest for water. For generations, the pastoralists of this region have roamed the parched landscape with their herds, enduring the harsh climate and prolonged droughts in search of life-sustaining water and pasture.

In Napak District, the story was no different. Nakichumet Village, a small community within this region, was once a place where homesteads stood empty, their inhabitants constantly on the move.

But a remarkable transformation began with the construction of the Arechek Dam. This isn't just a tale of engineering and infrastructure; it's a story of hope, resilience, and community rejuvenation. Paul Ojok, the chairperson of Nakichumet Village and supervisor of the Arechek Dam, recalls a time when accessing water was a daily struggle. Women and children walked miles under the scorching sun to fetch water, while men led their livestock across great distances in search of sustenance.

The Arechek Dam, built by the Ugandan government through the Water and Environment Ministry, stands as a beacon of change. It has brought water to the doorstep of Nakichumet Village, transforming the lives of its residents and the fortunes of the local economy. Thanks to the transformative leadership of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni that has championed infrastructural development in Uganda. The Arechek dam not only quenches the thirst of livestock and provides water for home use, but it also supports irrigation, allowing community members to cultivate crops year-round. This has ushered in a new era of food security and economic opportunity.

Karamoja region is a semi-arid area with low and erratic rainfall patterns, high temperatures, and prolonged droughts. 

The pastoralists keep moving from one area to another to look for water and pasture for their animals. The narrative has changed in this area since the dam has facilitated Karamajong pastoralists to settle, get water for irrigation, livestock consumption and home use. 
 
“This village had around 20 homesteads which were always empty as people moved with their animals to look for water and pasture to feed their animals,” says Paul Ojok, the chairperson of Nakichumet Village and Arechek dam supervisor. 

Ojok’s main role is to control water supply from the dam to the consumers, keep it clean and supervise the fishing. 

He says that by 2008, the community hardly accessed water. Women and children walked long distances to access water for home use. 

The area on which the dam was constructed was a spot for water logging. The Government identified the spot, trapped the water and excavated the land to create the Arechek dam.
There is a fully installed system that transmits the water into three demarcated points, i.e water for livestock, irrigation and home use. 
 
The dam has an irrigation area where locals grow vegetables for consumption. This has improved on food production as locals can grow food throughout the year.
 
Ojok confirms that the dam has been a good venture as it has created employment and increased income earning opportunities for the locals. It has also minimised movements as the locals can access water to feed their animals. Ojok says this explains why there has been a steady population growth around Nakichumet Village.  

Ojok requests the Government to construct a dam in each Sub-County. He notes that during the dry season, all livestock around Napaka gets water from the Arechek dam. He is worried all the water may be depleted. 
“We still have community members who continue moving because they are food insecure. The Government should create measures to make sure people have what to eat by empowering them to engage in sustainable farming. This will stop them moving from one place to another,” he says.

After dam construction, the government introduced Tilapia and Mud fish into the dam. This was to help the local leadership generate revenue. Ojok notes that he fishes thrice a week. He gets between 400-450 fish each day.  This is sold in Napak and other districts in the country. 

Ojok notes that some of the revenue is used to run the dam and pay employees who keep it clean and in good working condition. The revenue from fishing is controlled by Napaka District Local Government. 

Ojok happily notes that the community members are grateful for the dam.