ARUA EMBACKS ON A JOURNEY OF CLIMATE RESILIENT GROWTH

In Uganda, the West Nile region known for its generosity in hosting refugees, a significant step was taken to improve living conditions for all. Key partners gathered to launch a transformative project financed by KFW, the European Union, and the Government of Uganda through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC). The initiative aimed to construct resilient urban infrastructure in Arua City and the surrounding districts of Maracha and Terego.

A collaborative spirit defined the meeting. The delegation from KFW was headed by Ms. Beckmann Mareike. Arua City Council was fully represented by the RCC, the City Clerk, and his staff. The NWSC team was led by Eng. Paddy Twesigye, alongside Eng. Joe Kamanyi and Area Manager Jesca Ondoru.

The partners commenced with detailed presentations. KFW’s Mareike outlined the project’s ambitious Result Matrix, while NWSC officials detailed the intricate processes and ongoing interventions. This open dialogue served the critical goal of assessing execution readiness. Subsequently, the team conducted field visits to the proposed dam site at Katrini, the Dadamu sewer line, the proposed landfill in Oluko and treatment plant at the water works in junior quaters. 

Upon completion, the project was anticipated to significantly improve access to water and sanitation, increase daily water production, and extend the rehabilitated sewer network. It promised to deliver functional flood and pollution management systems, new public sanitation facilities with menstrual hygiene management, improved stormwater drainage, and better garbage management infrastructure. The project would also support the approval of development plans and train city council staff.

With substantial backing of EUR 22.5 million, the project’s core mission was to build resilience against climate change for water resources and communities. The partnering teams firmly reaffirmed their readiness, with senior officials from NWSC, KFW, and Arua City Council all pledging their commitment. The engagement was opened and closed by the Lord Mayor and the RCC, who both promised unwavering political will, support, and security for the project, marking a pledge for a stronger, more resilient future.

Leveraging the Lake Victoria Water and Sanitation (LV-WATSAN) Package 5B Project and strategic partnerships, the UPP Branch has increased efforts to improve access, reduce exploitation, and strengthen revenue performance, particularly through the introduction of the SUSTEQ prepaid water meter system, launched in July 2024. The technology offers a transparent, affordable, and digital-first model for water access, enabling customers to buy tokens via mobile money, with each token dispensing 20 litres at just UGX 25 per jerrican. This price has significantly lowered the cost of water for low-income households, eliminating the exploitation that came with relying on private water vendors.

To date, 1,272 prepaid hubs have so far been installed, with 19,083 tokens registered and 18,586 customers actively on-boarded. Distribution of these hubs has spanned Kawempe, Nakawa, Makindye, Kampala Central, Lubaga, Nansana, Kira, Makindye Ssabagabo, Nabweru, and Lwemiyaga. Whereas areas like Bwaise, Kansanga, Kireka, Nakulabye and surrounding communities are next in line, as installation efforts continue to expand coverage.

This improved access is already driving measurable results, with the Urban Pro-Poor Branch recording water sales of 45,225 cubic metres in June 2025, up from 43,215 cubic metres in July 2024, and achieving 97 percent of its monthly target. Meanwhile, credit collections saw a significant increase as well, with UGX 83.3 million collected in June 2025, up from UGX 50.7 million in July 2024. This surpassed the UGX 45 million monthly target and showed a 132% achievement rate.