Otuke County East Member of Parliament, Julius Acon Bua, has once again set a remarkable record—this time not on the athletics track, but in community service.
Over the past ten years, the MP, who also serves as the NRM chairperson for Otuke district, has facilitated the drilling of more than 130 new boreholes across the Lango sub-region.
Acon, a former record-setting athlete between 1994 and 1999 and Uganda’s Sportsman of the Year, previously represented Uganda at international athletics events in Sweden, Edmonton, and Canada from 1995 to 2011.
Speaking via a phone on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, MP Acon emphasised that water is life. He noted that as an elected leader, he has taken it upon himself to work alongside the government and local communities to provide clean water, thereby preventing waterborne diseases.
He also highlighted that in 2021, he was inducted into the World Olympians for Life program in recognition of his humanitarian achievements, which include the extensive borehole drilling project across the region, particularly in Otuke district.
Acon further revealed that he spends between shs9 million and shs12 million monthly on borehole maintenance, with an additional shs5 million allocated to repairing broken water points.
He urged borehole user committees and team leaders to take proactive steps in maintaining their water sources, especially given the changing weather patterns.
MP Acon stressed that proper maintenance is critical since many community members now rely on these boreholes for their daily water needs.
The lawmaker has pledged to continue drilling more water points in villages that still lack access to clean water, reiterating that water is life and that his manifesto promises to expand the number of boreholes to ensure that people no longer have to share water sources with animals—a practice he described as dangerous to human health.
He confirmed that an initiative to rehabilitate more boreholes is underway in several villages facing water shortages
The 130 boreholes have been strategically drilled across several districts, including Otuke County East, Otuke County West, five in Alebtong, two in Kole, three in Lira district, and one in Amolatar, among others.
“This achievement makes Acon the first Member of Parliament from the Lango sub-region to drill a total of 130 water points within a decade since his election in 2016,” his aide said.
Reflecting on his athletic career, the Otuke East MP noted that he won numerous medals in Golden League and Grand Prix events, made two Olympic appearances, and claimed 11 world championship medals, including a gold medal in 1994.
He also secured three gold medals at the All-Africa Games and three more at the Commonwealth Games. In 1996, Acon was recognised as the best in his discipline, setting an 800-meter record of 1:44.54 that stood for 21 years.
Bosco Okullu, the LC3 chairperson of Orum sub-county in Otuke East, expressed his joy and appreciation for Acon’s efforts. “This is the kind of leader we want to change the face of our local community,” he said.
“In my area, each village now has at least two to three water points, and our people are free from waterborne diseases thanks to the clean water provided by MP Acon.”
Hellen Ogwang, 60, a resident of Olilim sub-county, thanked the MP for his dedication to the people who trusted him with their votes.
“Before Acon was elected in 2016, there was not a single borehole water point in our village. Today, we have two new water points,” she said. “I call upon all our elected leaders to emulate what Acon is doing in Otuke East.”
In addition to other developments, MP Acon said he has installed solar pumps in Olec Ward and Coner Otem, both located within Otuke Council, at a cost of over shs40 million as of March 2026.
He has also promised to extend similar installations to various town councils and major trading centers, with the aim of improving business standards and supporting the local business community.
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