After nearly two decades of inactivity, the government of Uganda has officially restored Leye Dam in Kole District, reviving a critical water infrastructure project initially built to support irrigation, aquaculture, and other production ventures in northern Uganda.
Constructed in 2006 by the Ministry of Water and Environment with support from the World Bank, the Shs 4 billion multipurpose dam was expected to transform livelihoods in Leye Village, Telela Parish, Ayer Sub-county.
However, by 2016, extensive infestation of aquatic weeds—partly linked to the use of contaminated fishing nets from other water bodies—rendered the dam unusable, forcing investors and local communities to abandon activities such as fish cage farming.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony on Wednesday, the Assistant Commissioner for Water for Production, Eng. Ronald Kato Kayizzi, confirmed the full rehabilitation of the facility.
“Leye Dam had become impossible for people to utilise for its intended purpose. The infestation crippled all activities, including aquaculture. The government has now fully restored the dam, and we will ensure that beneficiaries around the water body can undertake micro-scale irrigation and resume production,” Kato said.
The rehabilitation marks a significant turning point for the region. According to Mr. Joe Okello, Chairperson of the Water User Committee, the cleared water body is “now back in action” and already providing the much-needed water for productive use.
Kole District LC5 Chairperson, Moses Andrew Awany, welcomed the restoration, emphasizing its importance in strengthening resilience against climate change.
“This is a major milestone for our district and the entire region. As the country battles changing weather patterns and dependence on rain-fed agriculture, facilities like Leye Dam are vital for sustained production,” Awany said.
The Ministry of Water and Environment has stepped up efforts to address water management challenges nationwide, including the removal of invasive weeds such as water hyacinth that continue to choke several water bodies.
Kole Resident District Commissioner, Jillian Akullo, noted that the successful rehabilitation reflects the government’s continued commitment under the NRM to expand water infrastructure and promote sustainable water management practices.
As part of the sustainability strategy, beneficiary communities will be encouraged to diversify livelihoods, including taking up apiary and duck rearing—an environmentally friendly method of controlling aquatic weeds. The district has also established a technical support team drawn from the production, community services, and water departments to develop and implement an operation and maintenance plan focused on watershed protection.
Kato highlighted ongoing national initiatives to enhance environmental conservation.
“We have planted several trees, and under the Roots campaign, the Ministry plans to plant a number of trees equivalent to Uganda’s population every year. We encourage every household to plant at least one tree—where possible, even a hundred,” he said.
Communities living in low-lying areas near the dam have been sensitized to vacate encroached zones and will be supported to transition to alternative livelihoods, including the irrigation of high-value crops instead of rice cultivation.
The successful restoration of Leye Dam signals renewed opportunities for irrigation, aquaculture, and climate-resilient agriculture, positioning Kole District for improved productivity and sustainable development.