The Government of Uganda, through the National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), has signed a Grant and Project Implementation Agreement for a five-year project designed to improve water, sanitation, and urban infrastructure for refugees and host communities in Northern Uganda.
The €22.6 million project, titled “Climate Resilience and Water Infrastructure for Refugees and Host Communities in Northern Uganda,” is co-financed by the German Government through Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) Development Bank and the European Union, with additional contributions from the Government of Uganda and NWSC.
Targeting Arua City and the surrounding districts of Maracha and Terego, the project will focus on rehabilitating and expanding water supply systems, sanitation networks, and boreholes, while also addressing other urban infrastructure needs such as storm water and solid waste management.
During the signing ceremony in Kampala, NWSC Managing Director Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha said the initiative is the Uganda government’s commitment to supporting both refugee settlements and the host communities that share resources with them.
“The Government of Uganda, working through NWSC, is implementing this project to support refugee settlements and the surrounding host communities,” Dr. Mugisha noted. “Our approach of working closely with Arua City Council authorities and the Ministry of Water and Environment is key to achieving collective success.”
He expressed gratitude to the Government of Germany, the European Union, and other partners for backing Uganda’s water and sanitation for all agenda.
“We have implemented a number of projects with NWSC and reiterate our unwavering support towards Uganda’s water and sanitation for all agenda,” she said, adding that refugee communities in Arua remain a priority. “It is for this reason that KfW has unwaveringly supported this initiative to improve the livelihoods of the people of Arua and the surrounding areas.”
The financing structure of the project includes a €9 million grant from the German Government through KfW, €13.6 million from the European Union, and an additional €1.385 million contributed jointly by the Government of Uganda and NWSC.
In terms of scope, the project will prioritize improvements in water supply by rehabilitating and expanding the capacity of the existing water treatment plant and pumping mains. About 70 kilometers of new supply lines will also be laid to extend access to safe water. Alongside this, sanitation infrastructure will be strengthened through the rehabilitation and expansion of sewer networks and lifting stations, ensuring that waste management keeps pace with the growing population in Arua and surrounding areas.
The initiative will also tackle urban infrastructure challenges beyond water and sanitation. Storm water management and solid waste management are integral components, with the development of physical plans for Arua City expected to support long-term climate resilience and orderly urban growth.
Dr. Mugisha further revealed that the procurement process for a consultant to oversee the design and construction has already begun, a clear signal of the transition from planning to implementation.
