At least one million residents in Greater Kampala will soon experience a significant improvement in water supply, thanks to a newly unveiled government initiative. The National Water and Sewerage Corporation (NWSC), in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), is preparing to launch a UGX 373 billion water project aimed at expanding the region’s water distribution network.
The project, officially set to begin on November 15th, 2024, will rehabilitate, restructure, rezone, and extend the water supply infrastructure across the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. According to NWSC, the initiative will construct 71 kilometers of primary network pipelines, establish three booster stations, and build three reservoirs with a combined capacity of 13.5 million liters. When completed, it is expected to benefit over one million residents in growing areas such as Kira, Kasangati, Nansana, and Bweyogere.
Notably, the project is a critical intervention to address the fast-paced urban expansion of Kampala and its neighboring areas especially after ongoing urbanization has put a strain on the current water supply infrastructure, which limits the capacity of the recently commissioned Katosi Water Treatment Plant. While the plant can supply up to 160 million liters per day, less than 55% of this capacity is being utilized, owing to distribution challenges that the new project will address.
Recent reports highlight that the Katosi Water Treatment Plant, inaugurated by President Yoweri Museveni in December 2022, has stabilized water supply to Kampala and the surrounding districts of Mukono and Wakiso. However, due to an insufficient distribution network, many areas remain underserved despite the plant’s considerable output. The new project aims to fully harness Katosi’s potential and complement the Ggaba Water Works, which produces 240 million liters per day. Combined, these two facilities will meet current and future water demand for the Kampala metropolitan area.
The water project will also play a critical role in improving the livelihoods of residents in regions like Matugga, Kakiri, and Nansana, many of whom have experienced intermittent water supply, for years. Communities in previously water-stressed zones will soon have a reliable and consistent supply, which is expected to greatly enhance public health and overall well-being.
The NWSC, however, emphasizes that community involvement is crucial to the success of this initiative. In an official statement, the corporation’s Managing Director Dr. Eng. Silver Mugisha urged the public to take an active role in safeguarding the new infrastructure, warning against vandalism and illegal water connections, both of which threaten long-term sustainability. He also stressed that timely payment of water bills and the prevention of water theft would help ensure the continued availability of this essential resource.
The contractor, Sogea Satom of France, will execute the works under the supervision of Artelia in Association with Gauff Consultants Uganda Limited.
With a timeline of 30 months for completion, the government and its partners are positioning this project as a significant step toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for clean water and sanitation.
Though ambitious, the project is well underway, and once completed, it will mark a milestone for Kampala’s water infrastructure, serving both present needs and future demands. The millions of Ugandans who rely on this essential service can look forward to a more sustainable and efficient system, as long as communities do their part in ensuring its protection and viability.
