Oturuloya Lagwedola Village – Clean Water for a Growing Community in Gulu, Uganda
Oturuloya Lagwedola Village (Gulu District)
Project Snapshot
Location: Oturuloya Lagwedola Village, Gulu District, Uganda
Users Served: Over 500 community members in Oturuloya Lagwedola Village
Intervention: Drilled borehole well with hand pump, concrete apron, and upgraded stainless-steel riser pipes
Depth Drilled:
Yield:
Date Drilled: May 16, 2022
Status: Completed
Oturuloya Lagwedola Village Before the Well
Oturuloya Lagwedola Village is located in Gulu District, northern Uganda. Before the borehole was drilled, safe water was not available within the community, and households relied on a nearby open waterhole as their only source of water.
This waterhole was shared with livestock and other animals. Cows and goats would stand directly in the water while drinking, contaminating it further. The water was visibly green with algae growing across the surface, and tadpoles, insect larvae, and other contaminants were present. This water was not safe for human consumption, and community members were frequently sick from drinking it.
What We Built in Oturuloya Lagwedola Village
Drop in the Bucket drilled a community borehole well and installed a standard hand pump with a reinforced concrete apron and upgraded stainless-steel riser pipes. The site was selected to provide safe, central access for households across Oturuloya Lagwedola Village.
The new borehole replaced the unsafe waterhole and provides a reliable source of clean water close to home.
Oturuloya Lagwedola Village Now
Clean water is now available within the community for drinking, cooking, and daily hygiene. Families no longer rely on contaminated surface water, and reduced water collection times allow more focus on farming, education, and household responsibilities.
Access to safe water has also reduced waterborne illness and improved overall health for more than 500 people in the village.
Use & Upkeep
A Water User Committee oversees daily use and cleanliness of the borehole. Trained local hand pump technicians manage first-line repairs and work with sub-county and district authorities when additional technical support is required.
Notes
Type: Borehole well with hand pump (community)
Primary users: Community members in Oturuloya Lagwedola Village, Gulu District, Uganda
Hygiene: Keep the apron clear and drained; encourage safe water storage and handwashing at home
Related: See water facts for why replacing unsafe water sources with boreholes matters.
Story: Oturuloya Lagwedola in Gulu, Uganda Gets a Water Well
The new well at Oturuloya Lagwedola in Gulu Uganda
Before Drop in the Bucket drilled a well for the community at Oturuloya Lagwedola, the only water source was a stagnant open waterhole shared with animals. The unsafe conditions made clean drinking water impossible and caused frequent illness in the community.
One grandmother shared her experience of collecting dirty water for her family and her relief and joy now that the village finally has clean water. To read her story and learn more about this well, click here.