UGX 400 BILLION PACKAGE 2B WATER PROJECT: THE GAME-CHANGER KAMPALA NEEDS

Kampala is stretching skywards, and with every new rooftop comes another shower, sink, or business in need of a reliable water supply. The city’s skyline may be booming, but down here at ground level, the demand for safe, piped water is growing even faster. And now, the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC) has decided it’s time the pipes caught up.

Cue the Package 2B Project, a not-so-modest UGX 400 billion government-funded upgrade that promises to shake up how water flows across the greater Kampala Metropolitan. Imagine new booster stations, huge reservoirs, and over 70 kilometres of chunky new pipeline weaving through some of the region’s most water-stressed zones.

Contrary to popular belief, Kampala does not actually have a water production problem. On average, NWSC produces about 296 million litres of water per day, 201 million litres from Ggaba Water Works and roughly 95 million litres from the Katosi Drinking Water Treatment Plant. That is still enough to meet the city’s current daily demand of around 320 million litres. So why the grumbling taps?

Turns out, the issue is distribution. Or more specifically, not enough of it. Katosi alone is designed to produce 160 million litres per day, but it’s currently operating at just under 55% of that capacity. There simply aren’t enough pipes, pumps, and pressure to get that water where it’s needed. And that is where Package 2B comes in, designed to unlock all that untapped potential by giving the city’s water system a long-overdue upgrade.

Launched in February 2025 and slated to wrap up in mid-2027, this 30-month megaproject will deliver over 70 kilometres of new pipelines, ranging in size from DN250 to DN800. It also includes new booster stations at Kungu and Kabulengwa, as well as large-scale reservoirs in Kanyanya, Mutungo, and Kabulengwa to help stabilise pressure and keep the system balanced as it stretches further out.

From Namugongo to Matugga and Kabulengwa, the upgraded network will touch every corner that’s ever experienced a dry tap and thought, “Surely there’s a better way!” Residents in Kitagobwa, Kitegomba, Kiti, Mawule, Matugga Town, Kiryagonza, along Semuto Road, and Kasangati are just some of those set to directly benefit. Add to that the Wakiso and Kakiri belt, including Temangalo, Ssala, Kasengejje, Kisimbiri, Nansomba, Gombe, and Kawoko, as well as the Nansana corridor, with places like Bujjuko, Kigoma, Kabulengwa, Kyebando, and Naluvule. Bulenga township will also receive targeted improvements. Even communities that are not directly connected to the new infrastructure, such as Kulambiro, Ntinda, Kyengera, and Mawanda Road, are expected to feel the ripple effects once overall system pressure improves.

Progress so far has been encouraging. Site surveys and geotechnical investigations have already been completed, particularly around the Kungu booster. The first 20 kilometres of pipes are already on order and expected to arrive in September 2025. Meanwhile, NWSC is keeping the conversation going with local leaders, ministries, and project-affected individuals to ensure the rollout remains on track and as disruption-free as possible.

Once complete, the project will enable NWSC to scale its production to 480 million litres per day, bound to match the Kampala metro population growth and urban ambition.