Displacement to degradation: Lira community trapped in sand mining pleads for sustainable lifeline

28 April 2026, 6:19 pm

By Ambrose Okwanga

Residents of Ogur Sub-county in Lira District have appealed to Join for Water to support them with sustainable livelihood projects to reduce their dependence on activities driving wetland degradation.The call comes as Join for Water, in partnership with other organisations and the Ministry of Water and Environment, considers rolling out alternative livelihood initiatives to draw communities away from sand mining in Akangi Parish. The appeal was made on April 28, 2026, during a site visit by officials from Join for Water, the Ministry, and leaders from Lira City and Lira District to assess the extent of environmental damage.

Sand mining in the area has persisted for more than a decade, evolving into the primary source of income for residents of Bolnyapo Village and surrounding communities, including parts of Alebtong District.

Many locals trace the origins of the practice to their return from displacement during the insurgency of the Lord’s Resistance Army led by Joseph Kony. With limited resources and few livelihood options, residents turned to sand mining for survival.

“We came back from the camps with nothing,” recalls George Ogwal, a resident of Bolnyapo Village. “That is why we resorted to sand mining.” He explains that what began as a small activity gradually attracted more people as its financial benefits became evident.Despite awareness of its environmental impact, residents say abandoning sand mining without viable alternatives is not realistic.

Christine Angom, a widow, says the trade has enabled her to raise her four children, pay school fees, and meet basic household needs. However, she insists any intervention must be sustainable to prevent deeper poverty.

Angom also highlights the health risks associated with the activity, particularly for women, citing frequent cases of bilharzia and urinary tract infections.For others like Francis Okello, infertile soils leave little room for agriculture, making sand mining the only dependable source of income.

He and other residents are now calling for support in alternative ventures such as apiary, poultry farming, goat rearing, and access to SACCO financing.

Local leaders acknowledge the complexity of the situation.Erick Odyek, the Gombolola Internal Security Officer, says enforcement efforts against illegal sand mining have largely failed due to the community’s economic dependence on the activity.Ogur Sub-county Community Development Officer, Sharon Aceng Ego stresses that beyond introducing projects, there is a need for continuous sensitization to guide communities through the transition.

She remains optimistic that well-implemented livelihood programs could significantly transform the area.Meanwhile, Kerudong Paskuale, Regional Manager of the Upper Nile Water Management Zone under the Ministry of Water and Environment, describes the situation as concerning. He calls for intensified awareness campaigns and a shift in mindset, urging communities to use wetlands sparingly to preserve the ecosystem.

As stakeholders weigh intervention options, the future of Ogur’s wetlands and the livelihoods tied to them hangs in the balance.