The rehabilitation of Akurawoyan Dam in Amudat District has transformed life for thousands of pastoralists in Uganda’s Karamoja sub-region and neighbouring Kenya, ending years of long treks in search of water during dry seasons.
Rehabilitated under the FAO’s Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation for Climate Change in Eastern Africa (PLACE) project, the dam’s storage capacity has increased to 20,000 cubic metres, providing reliable water for livestock, domestic use and small-scale irrigation. The facility now supports cross-border Pokot communities from Uganda and Kenya, reducing water stress and conflicts over scarce resources.
Local leaders say the restored dam has improved livelihoods by ensuring water lasts through the dry season. However, they have called for livestock watering troughs, stronger disease control through vaccination, and measures to reduce siltation and improve water quality.
The project also includes livestock vaccination campaigns, with nearly 900,000 animals vaccinated across the Karamoja cluster against major livestock diseases. A cross-border vaccination exercise is planned later this year.
Community leaders are establishing a water users’ committee to promote sustainable management through erosion control, livestock management and future installation of a pumping system.
The Akurawoyan Dam is among several water facilities rehabilitated under the PLACE programme across seven drought-prone East African countries, helping pastoralist communities strengthen resilience to climate change and recurring droughts.
