Water an Abundant yet Scarce Resource: a Paradox of Africa's Water Scarcity in the Nile Basin

2 days ago
3 min read

Just 8 kilometers from the mighty River Nile lies Kinyara village in Kigumba, Kiryandongo District, Uganda. Despite their closeness to one of the world’s largest rivers, over 160 farming families here face a daily struggle to access clean water — a bitter paradox in the heart of the Nile Basin.

An african woman and mother, sitted down with her chidren in a water scarce region — Adong Veronica, 36, sits with her children in Kinyara Village, where prolonged drought and water scarcity threaten her garden and her family’s wellbeing. A mother of eight, she faces the daily struggle of nurturing life in a community where water is a luxury.

A Village in Crisis

In Kinyara, only three boreholes serve the entire community — and they are overused, frequently breaking down, and often dry during prolonged droughts. The burden of this water scarcity in africa particularly the Nile Basin falls most heavily on residents like Mr. Adiga, and Mzee Wahab.

“During dry days, we always have to go very early in the morning to get clean water from the borehole,” says Mr. Adiga, a 45-year-old local farmer. “After noon, before the borehole dries up, water first gets dirty and contains silt... my children get stomachaches from drinking it.”

Mr. Wahab Musa, a 55-year-old grandfather, shares a similar struggle. “I was sick, suffering from a hernia when the borehole broke down. It was really difficult to survive in a water-scarce period when sick,” he recalls.

Jowel Nionzima a climate activist from Uganda interviewing people facing water scarcity in Uganda — Mzee Wahab (left) shares his lived experience with water scarcity in Kinyara Village, as Jowel Nionzima (center), founder of EcoDiaries, and Mr. Adiga (right) engage him in a field interview. Through EcoDiaries, Jowel documents the untold stories of resilience and climate impact in rural Uganda.

The Bigger Picture: Water Scarcity - A Global and Regional Crisis in Africa

Kinyara’s experience mirrors a larger global crisis. According to UNICEF, over 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and 3.6 billion live without adequate sanitation. In the Nile Basin, which stretches across 11 African countries, the impact of climate change, population growth, and poor water infrastructure has intensified water stress — even in places near abundant water sources.

Geodata journalism from InfoNile shows that climate-driven droughts and floods are disrupting water availability across the region, putting rural communities like Kinyara on the frontlines of a deepening crisis.

Map of the Nile River Basin showing major cities, capitals, and roads. Features highlighted in black and blue against a beige background. — *A map highlighting the Nile Basin countries — a vital lifeline connecting 11 African nations through shared waters, ecosystems, and climate challenges.*

The Science Behind the Scarcity

Kinyara's crisis is a result of intertwined factors:

Global warming, already at 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels (IPCC), decreases groundwater recharge, leading to dried-up boreholes.
Overuse of boreholes causes mechanical breakdowns, with pumps failing under constant strain—an issue frequently reported in rural sub-Saharan Africa.
Deforestation in surrounding areas disturbs local water cycles, reducing rainfall and accelerating evaporation.

Contaminated water, like that described by Mr. Adiga, raises the risk of waterborne illnesses such as diarrhea, especially among children, as confirmed by WHO data.

Global Talk, Local Inaction

At COP28, water was prioritized in the Global Goal on Adaptation, recognizing that climate change has caused a 50% increase in droughts and floods between 2010 and 2020 (UNECE). Yet, water security receives just 3% of total climate finance, leaving frontline communities like Kinyara behind.

Local Solutions, Global Lessons

At Apollo Forest, we’re exploring a solar-powered well system to provide a sustainable water source. We also advocate for watershed restoration, and tree planting to protect local microclimates. EcoDiaries and InfoNile are working together to amplify grassroots voices like Mr. Wahab’s—stories that must reach decision-makers.

A tree seedling being planted during a reforestation campaign in Africa — *In Kinyara Village, Apollo Forests is not just planting trees — we're rebuilding ecosystems and restoring dignity.*

Kinyara’s paradox—thirst in the shadow of the Nile—is a call to action. No one living near one of the world’s most iconic rivers should suffer to get safe water.

What You Can Do:

Share this story to raise awareness.
Support local initiatives like Apollo Forests and EcoDiaries.
Advocate for increased climate-resilient water infrastructure in rural communities.
Connect with us at hello@ecodiaries.org to collaborate or learn more.